NSW Police released video footage of one of the arrests. Photo: Still of NSW Police video.
Riverina Police say they have dismantled an alleged drug syndicate operating in Wagga Wagga after a series of early morning raids across the city.
The investigation began in March 2026, when detectives from the Southern Region Enforcement Squad set up Strike Force Pellika to probe the supply of illicit drugs in the area.
About 6 am on Thursday (30 April), officers – backed by the Southern Operations Group and Riverina Police District – raided four homes in Bourkelands, Kooringal, Forest Hill and Moorong.
Five men, aged 19, 21, 24, 25 and 26, were arrested and taken to Wagga Wagga Police Station.
Police allege the group was involved in ongoing drug supply. Charges laid across the arrests include running a drug supply operation, supplying drugs, possessing drugs, dealing with suspected proceeds of crime and having prohibited weapons without a permit.
Officers allegedly seized cocaine, methylamphetamine and ketamine with an estimated street value of more than $110,000. They also allegedly confiscated steroids, cannabis, cannabis seeds, more than $8000 in cash, electronic devices, a knuckle-duster and a taser.
Forest Hill raid
Police searched a home in Forest Hill about 6 pm on Thursday, allegedly seizing:
- 11 grams of ketamine
- 16 grams of cocaine
- $3305 in cash
- fireworks, steroids and electronic devices.
A 25-year-old man was arrested at the scene. He is accused of running an ongoing drug supply operation, as well as supplying drugs including cannabis.
He was granted conditional bail and is due to appear at Wagga Wagga Local Court on 6 May.
Bourkelands raid
At a Bourkelands home, police allegedly found:
- 123 grams of cocaine
- 67 grams of methylamphetamine
- 14 grams of ketamine
- 40 grams of diazepam
- steroids and buprenorphine strips
- knuckle-dusters, a taser and electronic devices.
Two men, aged 24 and 26, were arrested.
The 24-year-old is accused of repeatedly supplying drugs and possessing them.
The 26-year-old faces a long list of allegations, including multiple counts of ongoing drug supply, possessing restricted substances and having a prohibited weapon.
Both were refused bail and faced court on Friday (1 May).
A 19-year-old man was also arrested at the property and charged with having a prohibited weapon without a permit. He was granted bail to appear in court on 8 July.
Kooringal raid
Police allege they seized the following from a Kooringal home:
- 17 grams of cocaine
- 26 grams of cannabis
- 11 vials of steroids
- $4950 in cash
- electronic devices and personal cards believed to be stolen.
A 21-year-old man was arrested and charged. Police allege he was involved in drug supply and handling money suspected to be the proceeds of crime.
He was granted bail to appear in court on 20 May.
Investigations under Strike Force Pellika are continuing.
Gary Delpiano exactly! I’m happy to pay for my meal and drinks, but I have no desire to pay for… View