POLICE have charged a further four people in the Riverina as part of investigations into an alleged drug supply ring across southern NSW.
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The Southern Region Enforcement Squad launched investigations in July last year, tracing criminal networks operating out of Narrandera, Albury, Broken Hill and Sydney.
Strike Force Belvidere officers arrested two men and two women on Tuesday over their alleged involvement in the supply of prohibited drugs throughout the region.
The police operation began shortly after 7am, with three search warrants executed at homes in Narrandera and Wagga.
Drugs, a Mercedes sedan, weapons and cash were seized during the operation, and a 39-year-old man and 38-year-old woman were arrested at a home in Ashmont.
The 39-year-old man was charged with six counts of take part supply prohibited drug, supply prohibited drug, supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis, and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.
The 38-year-old woman was charged with supply prohibited drug (commercial quantity), four counts of supply prohibited drug, take part supply prohibited drug, take part supply cannabis, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, and dishonestly obtain financial advantage etc by deception.
They were refused bail to appear in Wagga Local Court today.
A man and woman, both aged 27, were also arrested at homes in Narrandera as part of strike force investigations, and were both charged with take part supply prohibited drug.
They were granted strict conditional bail to appear in Narrandera Local Court on Friday, January 29.
In addition to yesterday's arrests, six men and three women have been arrested and charged by Strike Force Belvidere investigators since July 2020.
On September 10, 2020, a 51-year-old man was arrested during a vehicle stop on The Rock Road at The Rock. The man was charged with 19 offences relating to drug supply and domestic violence. He remains before the courts and is next scheduled to appear in Wagga Local Court on February 17.
In other news:
On November 10, 2020, a 31-year-old man was arrested at a home in Forest Hill and charged with possess precursor intend to use in manufacture/production. He remains before the courts and is next due to appear in Broken Hill Local Court on February 9.
Southern Region Operations Manager Detective Superintendent Kevin McNeil said the arrests will have a major impact on drug supply throughout the region.
"These arrests are the culmination of excellent work by the Region Enforcement Squads and our local police during extremely trying times," he said.
"Taking drug suppliers off our streets is another way we are continuing to tackle crime in our regional towns and communities.
"The supply of drugs in regional towns has a major impact on our community, and it simply won't be tolerated."
Investigations are continuing and further arrests are expected to be made.