Police have arrested multiple people after numerous raids where a significant amount of prohibited drugs have been seized in Cooma, this morning. This follows other raids on the Northern Beaches and at Bankstown last Friday.

Today at 4.50am (Wednesday 10 September 2014), officers from Monaro Local Area Command attended an address in Cooma and arrested a 26-year-old man, who allegedly was in possession of a 500 methamphetamine tablets (ecstasy).

He was taken to Queanbeyan Police Station where he is currently assisting with inquiries.

About 7.10am, investigators attended Bombala Street, Cooma, and arrested a 20-year-old man who allegedly had 50 methamphetamine tablets (ecstasy) in his possession.

He was taken to Cooma Police Station where he is currently assisting with inquiries.

About 8.30am today, officers from Monaro Local Area Command executed eleven search warrants at properties in Cooma, as part of the ongoing investigation.

During the searches, investigators seized a large amount of cash, firearms, cannabis, ecstasy tablets, amphetamines, war medals and snakes.

One woman and eight men were arrested at the properties during the warrants in Cooma. They have been taken to Cooma and Queanbeyan Police Stations, where they are currently assisting with inquiries.

In May 2014, Monaro Local Area Command detectives commenced an investigation into the supply of prohibited drugs in and around Cooma and in the Alpine region. This includes identifying the recent supply of blue “Batman” ecstasy tablets that were seized resulting in the supplier being arrested and charged.

About 6.25pm on Friday 5 September 2014, investigators attached to the Monaro Local Area Command Drug Unit attended a hotel in Sutton and arrested two 23-year-old men. They were taken to Queanbeyan Police Station.

A 23-year-old man, from Collaroy Plateau, was charged with three counts of supply prohibited drug large commercial quantity, supply prohibited drug commercial quantity, supply drug small quantity and supply prohibited drug ongoing basis.

He was bail refused and appeared at Queanbeyan Bail Court on Saturday 6 September 2014, where he was remanded to appear again on Monday 8 September 2014.

The other 23-year-old man, from Wheeler Heights, was charged with supply prohibited drug commercial quantity. He was bail refused to appear at Queanbeyan Bail Court on Saturday 6 September 2014, where he was remanded to appear at Monday 8 September 2014.

A short time later, investigators executed three search warrants at a home’s on High Street, Bankstown, Rose Avenue, Collaroy Plateau and Blackbutts Avenue, Frenchs Forest.

During the search warrants at Collaroy Plateau and Frenchs Forest, investigators seized prohibited drugs and computer equipment.

At the search warrant in Bankstown a large commercial quantity of prohibited drugs including ecstasy pills with ‘blue Batman’ containing the drug 25c-NBOMe were seized.

A 28-year-old man was arrested at the home and taken to Bankstown Police Station where he was charged with three counts of supply prohibited drug large commercial quantity, supply prohibited drug commercial quantity and supply drug small quantity.

The Bankstown man was bail refused to appear at Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday 6 September 2014, where he was remanded to appear at Bankstown Local Court on Monday 22 September 2014.

At 10.50pm, the same day, officers from Monaro Local Area Command attended Dee Why Police Station, on the Northern Beaches, and arrested a 23-year-old Frenchs Forest man.

The man was charged with three counts of supply prohibited drug large commercial quantity, supply prohibited drug commercial quantity and supply drug small quantity. He was bail refused to appeared at Parramatta Bail Court, and was remanded to appear at Central Local Court onThursday 11 September 2014.

The Southern Region Commander, Assistant Commissioner Gary Worboys said it was a tremendous investigation by our officers attached to Monaro Local Area Command.

“The seizures, arrests and charges relating to these prohibited drugs are going to put a dent in this drug syndicate.

“This assists in taking a large amount of harmful drugs off our streets, helping to keep our communities safer,” Assistant Commissioner Worboys stated.