Wagga duo charged with drug offences fronts court

A man and a woman charged after a police investigation into the supply of prohibited drugs in the Riverina have faced court.

Damien Moore, 33, and Karli Rita Suters, 35, fronted Wagga Wagga Local Court on 1 February charged with multiple drug offences between them, including possession and supplying prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis.

Magistrate Rebecca Hosking granted Moore bail on the condition that he report to Wagga Wagga Police Station daily, not contact Suters or any protection witness, not drink alcohol or take drugs, and not commit any further offences while on bail.

Suters made no application for bail, which was formally refused by the court.

The Wagga man and woman were two of three people arrested as part of Strike Force Guginya last month.

NSW Police established Strike Force Guginya in June 2023 to investigate the supply of prohibited drugs in Temora.

Southern Region Detective Superintendent Tim Beattie said throughout the investigation, police suspected the three charged were involved in several matters in supplying primitive drugs.

“This arrest should send a warning to anyone engaged in the distribution of drugs,” Supt Beattie said.

“The NSW Police have significant resources, and it’s only a matter of time before they [suspected drug dealers] come on our radar … no matter how safe they think they are.”

Supt Beattie commended the Temora community for bringing vital information to Strike Force Guginya.

“It was information we were able to act upon,” he said. “The Temora community should be happy we have listened to them and taken action.”

Supt Beattie said drug supply anywhere in NSW was concerning.

“It is something we focus on … and find every opportunity we can to engage and disrupt this sort of criminal enterprise group,” he said.

“We arrest people every day engaged in drug supply.”

Police said officers from the Southern Region Enforcement Squad, with assistance from the Dog Squad, executed a search warrant at an address in Deakin Avenue, Lloyd, about 7 km south-east of Wagga Wagga, about 10:30 am on 31 January.

Investigators allegedly found cannabis, methylamphetamine, prescription medication, MDMA and steroids. Electronic devices were also seized for forensic examination.

Moore and Suters were arrested and taken to Wagga Wagga Police Station.

Following inquiries, Southern Region Enforcement Squad officers, with help from the Dog Squad and Riverina Police District, executed a search warrant at a premises in Hoskins St, Temora, about 2 pm on Tuesday, 30 January.

Police allegedly seized methylamphetamine and cash.

A 53-year-old man was arrested and taken to Temora Police Station.

He was charged with supplying prohibited drugs and selling liquor without a licence.

He was granted bail to appear at Temora Local Court on Wednesday, 21 February.

Moore and Suters are to appear before Wagga Wagga Local Court again on 14 February.

Anyone with information about these incidents is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.