NSW Police released footage of a raid on one of the Lake Cargelligo homes. Photo: Still/NSW Police.
Two men have been charged following investigations into alleged breaking and entering, drugs and stolen vehicle offences in the northern Riverina.
Operation Soteria is a strategic initiative focusing on aggravated break, enter and steal offences, stealing motor vehicles, and ‘post and boast’ offences where social media is used to gain notoriety.
Investigators have been making inquiries into information received that persons within the Lake Cargelligo township have allegedly been involved in property offences and the supply and sale of prohibited drugs.
Following inquiries, at about 8:10 am on Wednesday (20 August), officers attached to Operation Soteria and Central West Police District, along with Dog Squad and Operational Support Group officers, executed a search warrant at an address in Lake Cargelligo.
During the execution of the search warrant police allegedly located and seized $2320 in cash, 47.5 grams of MDMA with an estimated street value of $4700 and 7.4 grams of methylamphetamine.
Police also allegedly located an indoor cannabis cultivation set-up and seized 10 cannabis plants.
Police also allegedly seized 100 grams of cannabis, electronic items, prescribed restricted substances, prohibited weapons and drug equipment allegedly used in the supply of prohibited drugs.
A 38-year-old man was arrested at the address. He was taken to Lake Cargelligo Police Station. He was charged with breaking and entering, recklessly dealing with the proceeds of crime (less than $5000), possessing or using a prohibited weapon without permit, three counts of supplying prohibited drug, cultivating prohibited plants and possesing a prescribed restricted substance.
He was refused bail and appeared at Parramatta Bail Division on Thursday (21 August).
At about 8:30 am on Wednesday, officers attached to Operation Soteria and Central West Police District, along with Dog Squad and Operational Support Group officers, executed a further search warrant at another address in Lake Cargelligo, in relation to an alleged stolen motor vehicle.
Drugs were allegedly found at Lake Cargelligo houses. Photo: NSW Police.
During the execution of the search warrant police located and seized items of clothing that police will allege were worn during the commission of the alleged offence.
A 29-year-old man was arrested at the address. He was taken to Lake Cargelligo Police Station and charged with be carried in conveyance without the consent of the owner.
He was given conditional bail and appeared before Lake Cargelligo Local Court on Wednesday.
At 10 am on Wednesday, officers executed a third search warrant at another address in Lake Cargelligo.
Police allegedly seized a small amount of cannabis, a prohibited weapon and tools that police will allege have been stolen.
Investigations following this search warrant are continuing.
Officers executed a fourth search warrant at an address in Lake Cargelligo at 1 pm on Wednesday.
Dog squad officers searched the premises. No items were seized by police.
Investigations following this search warrant are continuing.
Inquiries under Operation Soteria are ongoing.
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