A number of licensed premises were visited in the Coffs Harbour area of the command as part of this operation.

Police issued 2 cannabis cautions, and there were 5 charges laid for those in possession of prohibited drugs. This also included 2 persons charged with supplying a prohibited drugs.

At 9.25pm (Friday, 22 April 2016) police attached to the operation observed a white Toyota utility driving in a negligent manner on Toormina Road, Toormina. The occupants have then run from the vehicle into nearby bushland. A search of the bushland by the Dog Squad located a 31yo North Boambee Valley man hiding. He was searched and police allegedly located a trafficable quantity of crystal methylamphetmane (ice) with a potential street value of $5,300, as well as an ‘ice’ pipe and cannabis. Subsequent police checks revealed that the man also has an outstanding arrest warrant. He was subsequently charged with supplying a prohibited drug, possession of prohibited drugs (2 counts) and with the arrest warrant. He was bail refused to Coffs Harbour Local Court the following day (23 April 2016) and will appear again on the 24 May 2016.

At 11.30pm (Friday, 22 April 2016) a 19yo North Boambee Valley man was arrested at a hotel on Grafton Street, Coffs Harbour and was allegedly in possession of 28 capsules and 11 tablets of MDMA (ecstasy) as well as $380. He was charged with supplying a prohibited drug, possess prohibited drug and dealing with the proceeds of crime. The man has been bailed to Coffs Harbour Local Court on the 16 May 2016. The MDMA has a potential street value of $1,950.

At 11.40pm (Friday, 22 April 2016) a 22yo Sandy Beach man was arrested allegedly in possession of cannabis and cocaine at a hotel on Grafton Street, Coffs Harbour. He received a court attendance notice to appear at Coffs Harbour Local Court on the 16 May 2016.

Coffs/Clarence Local Area Command’s Crime Manager, Detective Inspector Darren Jameson said,

“These arrest show how dangerous cannabis continues to be in our community, with 2 men being arrested in possession of other serious drugs including ice, as well as cannabis.

“Cannabis continues its march of destruction within the community as being a serious drug of concern, infecting young people with drug addiction, and leading onto other serious drugs.

“We maintain our focus on cannabis, it is the root of all evil for drug addiction within our community. It is not a harmless drug, and locally it shows that, it’s only effect in the community leads to a lifetime of addiction and dependency, and this drives crime.”