Police have arrested 21 people, and seized hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of drugs, after 11 search warrants were executed in Cooma, Sydney's Northern Beaches and Bankstown.
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Seventeen of those arrested were from Cooma, where Monaro police swooped on 11 properties armed with search warrants on Wednesday.
Monaro Local Area Command detectives have been investigating the supply of prohibited drugs in and around Cooma and in the Alpine region since May 2014.
The investigation included identifying the recent emergence of blue “Batman” ecstasy tablets seized during a search warrant on Friday, September 5.
.During the searches officers seized 100 MDMA tablets, 500g of cannabis, four rifles, snakes and a large amount of cash.
The drugs seized throughout the operation have an estimated potential street value of $300,000.
Detectives have identified more than 250 drug supply offences that have been allegedly committed.
In Sydney, a 28-year-old Bankstown man was arrested and charged with three counts of supply prohibited drug of a large commercial quantity, supply a prohibited drug of a commercial quantity and supply drug of small quantity.
More details will be released as the investigation progresses.
EARLIER:
At 4.50am Wednesday, officers from Monaro Local Area Command attended an address in Cooma and arrested a 26-year-old man, who allegedly was in possession of a 500 methamphetamine tablets (ecstasy).
He was taken to Queanbeyan Police Station where he is currently assisting with inquiries.
About 7.10am, investigators attended Bombala Street, Cooma, and arrested a 20-year-old man who allegedly had 50 methamphetamine tablets (ecstasy) in his possession.
He was taken to Cooma Police Station where he is currently assisting with inquiries.
About 8.30am today, officers from Monaro Local Area Command executed eleven search warrants at properties in Cooma, as part of the ongoing investigation.
During the searches, investigators seized a large amount of cash, firearms, cannabis, ecstasy tablets, amphetamines, war medals and snakes.
One woman and eight men were arrested at the properties during the warrants in Cooma. They have been taken to Cooma and Queanbeyan Police Stations, where they are currently assisting with inquiries.
In May 2014, Monaro Local Area Command detectives commenced an investigation into the supply of prohibited drugs in and around Cooma and in the Alpine region. This includes identifying the recent supply of blue “Batman” ecstasy tablets that were seized resulting in the supplier being arrested and charged.
About 6.25pm on Friday 5 September 2014, investigators attached to the Monaro Local Area Command Drug Unit attended a hotel in Sutton and arrested two 23-year-old men. They were taken to Queanbeyan Police Station.
A 23-year-old man, from Collaroy Plateau, was charged with three counts of supply prohibited drug large commercial quantity, supply prohibited drug commercial quantity, supply drug small quantity and supply prohibited drug ongoing basis.
He was bail refused and appeared at Queanbeyan Bail Court on Saturday 6 September 2014, where he was remanded to appear again on Monday 8 September 2014.
The other 23-year-old man, from Wheeler Heights, was charged with supply prohibited drug commercial quantity. He was bail refused to appear at Queanbeyan Bail Court on Saturday 6 September 2014, where he was remanded to appear at Monday 8 September 2014.
