Three men have been arrested following an ongoing police operation targeting an alleged drug supply syndicate in the Newcastle area.

Strike Force Rupas, comprising of detectives from Newcastle City, Central Hunter and Lake Macquarie, was formed to investigate the supply of illicit drugs.

Following ongoing investigations, yesterday (Friday 11 September 2015) officers from Strike Force Rupas arrested three men and executed three search warrants at Cameron Park, Speers Point and Cardiff.

At these locations, officers seized 19 firearms; consisting of high powered rifles, shortened firearms, a handgun and ammunition, as well as 4700 ecstasy pills, approx 40 grams of methyl-amphetamine and a clandestine lab.

Just after 10am a 25-year-old Speers Point man was arrested in Glendale. A short time later, a 33-year-old Cameron Park man was arrested in Rutherford, and in the afternoon a 46 old male from Cardiff was arrested at his address.

The 25-year-old man was charged with supplying a prohibited drug (x5), attempt to acquire prohibited pistol and direct criminal syndicate. He was refused bail and is due to appear at Newcastle Court Local Court today (Saturday 12 September 2015).

The 33-year-old man was charged with supply greater than commercial quantity of amphetamine, supply prohibited drug on an ongoing basis and direct criminal syndicate. He was refused bail to appear at Maitland Local Court today (Saturday 12 September 2015).

The 46-year-old man was charged with 13 firearms offences. He has been bailed refused to attend Newcastle Local Court today (Saturday 12 September 2015).

Their arrests follow the arrest and charge of eleven men by officers attached to Strike Force Rupas over the previous months.

Investigations are continuing concerning a clandestine laboratory located at the Cardiff premises. All items will undergo forensic examinations.

Newcastle City Investigation Coordinator, Detective Inspector Peter Mahon, said that these arrests follow extensive investigations into the supply of drugs and possession of firearms in the Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Maitland areas.

“Yesterday’s results; including the arrest of the three men, the discovery of a clandestine laboratory, and the seizure of the drugs and firearms, come as a result of extensive investigations by officers from Strike Force Rupas.

“These arrests and seizures are a significant step in stopping the supply of illicit drugs and unauthorised possession of firearms in Newcastle and surrounding areas.

“Our officers will continue to investigate those who take part in the supply of drugs and more arrests will follow,” Det Insp Mahon said.

A man will face court today charged over an alleged bagsnatch at Jesmond, in Newcastle, overnight.

About 8pm (Thursday 10 September 2015), a 29-year-old woman was walking along Blue Gum Road, when a man ran up behind her and took her bag.

She was not hurt in the incident.

Police from Newcastle City Local Area Command attended a short time later and were assisted by the Dog Unit in searching for the person involved.

An 18-year-old man was arrested nearby and the woman’s handbag was recovered from stormwater drains in Mayo Street.

The man was taken to Waratah Police Station where he was charged with steal from person.

He was refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court today (Friday 11 September 2015).

A critical incident investigation has been launched following the death of a man during a confrontation with police.

Police were called to a post office on Postmans Lane at Warners Bay about 3.15pm today (Wednesday 9 September 2015), responding to reports a man was armed with a knife.

Officers from Lake Macquarie Local Area Command attended and confronted a man.

He died at the scene after a police firearm was discharged.

A critical incident team will now investigate all circumstances surrounding the incident, including the actions of police.

That investigation will be overseen by the Professional Standards Command.

Police have charged a man after he allegedly threatened a bus driver with a knife last month on the Central Coast.

About 6.40pm (Friday 21 August 2015), a bus driver, aged 58, stopped the bus on The Boulevard, Toronto, for a woman at the bus stop.

The woman allegedly had insufficient funds to pay for the ride and was refused entry by the driver.

Two males then allegedly approached the driver and an argument started.

One of the men then threatened the driver with a knife.

The driver called for assistance on a bus radio and the two men ran from the location.

Officers from Lake Macquarie Local Area Command attended and spoke to the driver, who was not injured.

Following inquiries, officers from the Police Transport Command’s Morisset Target Action Group (TAG) unit attended a home in Raymond Terrace yesterday (Tuesday 8 September) and arrested a 23-year-old man.

He was taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station and charged with common assault, wield knife in a public place and intimidate intend fear physical harm.

The man was given conditional bail to appear at Toronto Local Court Wednesday 30 September 2015.

A man has been charged with attempted murder following an alleged assault in Maitland yesterday.
Emergency services were called to a home on Catherine Street just before 1.30pm yesterday (Tuesday 8 September 2015), where they found a woman with serious head injuries.

The 38-year-old has been taken to John Hunter Hospital where she is understood to be in a serious condition.

Police from Central Hunter Local Area Command established a crime scene at the home and commenced inquiries.

Police allege the woman was involved in an altercation with her ex-partner when she was struck with a hammer and metal bar.

The 23-year-old man was arrested a short time later at a nearby car park.

He was taken to Maitland Police Station where he was charged with attempted murder. He was refused bail to appear at Maitland Local Court today (Wednesday 9 September 2015).

A man has been arrested following an assault at Maitland.

Emergency services were called to a home on Catherine Street just before 1.30pm today (Tuesday 8 September 2015), where they found a woman with serious head injuries.

The 38-year-old has been taken to John Hunter Hospital. Her condition is not known.

Police from Central Hunter Local Area Command established a crime scene at the home and commenced inquiries.

A 23-year-old man was arrested a short time later at a nearby car park.

He’s been taken to Maitland Police Station where he is assisting with inquiries.

Police have charged a man following a pursuit at Cardiff this morning.

About 8.45am (Sunday 6 September 2015), officers from Lake Macquarie Traffic and Highway Command were patrolling Myall Road, when they attempted to stop a Mitsubishi Magna for a roadside breath test.

The Magna allegedly failed to stop and a pursuit was initiated.

Officers followed the Mitsubishi into Lois Street, Cardiff, where it mounted the footpath and came to a stop.

Police stopped behind the Magna when it completed a u-turn and allegedly hit the front of the marked police car.

The Mitsubishi continued onto Myall Road, where the male driver and female front passenger allegedly ran from the car.

Police commenced a search with the assistance of the Dog Unit, and a short time later they located a man and teenage girl in the rear yard of a home on Fourth Street, Cardiff.

The pair was arrested and taken to Charlestown Police Station.

The 25-year-old man was charged with drive manner dangerous, negligent driving, drive whilst disqualified, not give particulars to other driver and two counts of enter enclosed lands.

He was given strict conditional bail to appear at Belmont Local Court on Wednesday 23 September 2015.

The 17-year-old girl was released without charge.

Police have charged a man after a firearm was allegedly seized during a car search at Killaben Bay near Lake Macquarie today.

Early this morning (Sunday 6 September 2015), a 21-year-old man and a woman attended a home on Angela Close, Carey Bay, and had an argument with a 37-year-old man at the house.

The younger man and woman entered their car and allegedly drove at the older man, who allegedly threw a brick at the car, hitting the windscreen.

The man and woman left the scene. A short time later, the pair returned in a Holden Commodore with two other men.

The 21-year-old approached the man at the house and allegedly threatened him with a firearm. The older man contacted police and the group left the area.

Officers from Lake Macquarie Local Area Command located and stopped a Holden Commodore on Lakeview Street, Killaben Bay.

A consequent search of the vehicle resulted in police allegedly seizing a firearm and methamphetamine (ICE) from in the car.

The four occupants, three men and a woman were arrested and taken to Toronto Police Station.

The 21-year-old man was charged with possess unregistered, unauthorised, and prohibited firearm, possess loaded firearm in a public place, not keep firearm safely, and common assault.

He was refused bail to appear at Toronto Local Court tomorrow (Monday 7 September 2015).

Inquiries are continuing.

Police have charged a man, and a woman remains in a critical condition, following a two-vehicle crash in Toronto last night.

Just after 7pm (Saturday 5 September 2015), a 37-year-old Kilaben Bay man was driving a Holden Colorado utility south along Cary Street.

Upon reaching the intersection of James Street, he attempted to make a right turn.

At the same time, a 23-year-old Edgeworth woman was riding a scooter north along Cary Street, when the two vehicles collided.

Emergency services were called and the woman was treated at the scene by Ambulance Paramedics, before being taken to John Hunter Hospital, where she remains in a critical condition.

The man was breath tested at the scene, which allegedly returned a positive result.

He was arrested and taken to Toronto Police Station, where a subsequent breath analysis returned a reading of 0.117. A further search of the man resulted in cannabis allegedly being located.

The man has been charged with dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, mid-range PCA, and possess prohibited drug.

He was granted conditional bail to appear at Toronto Local Court on Wednesday 30 September 2015.