An investigation into a criminal syndicate operating in the state’s New England region has resulted in the arrests of two men, both of whom were allegedly involved in commercial drug supply in and around Armidale.

In June 2014, police from the New England Local Area Command formed Strike Force Ansae to investigate the supply of MDMA, cannabis and amphetamine-type-substances in Armidale and surrounding towns and suburbs.

Following extensive inquiries, officers today (Tuesday 10 March 2015) arrested two men.

One man, a 28-year-old from Macksville, was stopped in vehicle and arrested at 8am Tuesday 10 March, 2015 on the Pacific Highway at Port Macquarie. He was taken Port Macquarie Police Station and charged with numerous offences including:

– One count of large commercial drug supply (MDMA); 3,700 Tablets.

– One count of commercial drug supply (amphetamine); 454 Grams

– One count of commercial drug supply (MDMA); 1,000 Tablets.

– Two counts of supplying an indictable quantity of amphetamine; 142 Grams

– One count of supplying an indictable quantity of cocaine; 85 grams

– One count of supplying an indictable quantity of cannabis; 9.4 Kilograms

The man was found to be in possession of $8,000 which was seized by police as proceeds of crime.

He has been refused bail to appear before Port Macquarie Local Court on Wednesday 11 March, 2015

Another man, a 30-year-old from Armidale, was arrested by officers from the Queensland Police Service at a construction site in Townsville at 1pm today (Tuesday 10 March, 2015).

He is currently being detained at Townsville Criminal Investigation Division and is due to appear at Townsville Court where detectives from New England Local Area Command will apply for his extradition to NSW to face numerous drug supply charges.

Today’s operation resulted in the execution of a number of search warrants in the Armidale and Macksville areas. The warrants resulted in police finding 47 grams of a white substance which police believe to be amphetamine, two replica pistols and two ammunition magazines.

New England Crime Manager, Detective Inspector Ann Joy, said local police were committed to doing everything they could to combating drug supply and the people who profited from it.

“Drugs are illegal for a reason – they are immensely destructive,” Detective Inspector Joy said.

“Not only do drugs rip families and friendships apart, they drive criminal behaviour and property related crime, and place a huge burden on the wider community.”

“We want to seize drugs and arrest those responsible for dealing with them, to get them out of our community.”

“If you have any information concerning the illicit drug trade in New England, please do get in touch by contacting Crime Stoppers.”

“Information can be provided anonymously, and will be treated in the strictest confidence.”