Drug bust arrests

A 12-MONTH drug investigation has brought down a significant ice and cannabis trafficking operation conducted by a South East family and other associates after eight men were arrested yesterday.

The morning arrests were made when 43 police officers, led by the South Australian Police Serious and Organised Crime Branch (SOCB), conducted dawn raids on premises in Mount Gambier, Naracoorte and Penola.

Detectives from the Mount Gambier Crime Investigation Branch, dog operations unit and police from the Limestone Coast Local Service Area were involved in the operation.

Detective Chief Inspector Tony Crameri from the SOCB Drug and Organised Crime Task Force said the arrests included eight men between the ages of 19 and 47.

“It will be alleged that this was a significant drug trafficking operation conducted by a family group and associates that were involved in the distribution of methamphetamine and cannabis throughout the South East of South Australia,” Det Crameri said.

“One of the men will face a total of 34 counts, so some of them are significant charges, which will all come out in the court processes.”

All eight men have been refused police bail and will appear in the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court today.

Det Crameri said as a result of yesterday’s raid, police had gathered more information in relation to other ongoing investigations.

“In respect to these eight men, they will now face the court and I cannot elaborate further other than to say there are significant charges against them,” he said.

“As a result of this investigation, we gained more intelligence about other people who are operating within the local community and there are certainly ongoing investigations that will continue.”

While the raid was a significant result for the local community, police indicated they will remain proactive in the war against drugs, particularly ice.

“Methamphetamine has a damaging effect on the community and it is certainly magnified in rural areas and it is very pleasing that we have been able to break down this syndicate,” Det Crameri said.

“Police will continue to try and stop the trafficking of drugs, particularly in the case of methamphetamine.”

Det Crameri said the community could play a key role in investigations by sharing any information they may have about drug dealing.

“It is extremely important the community provide any information they have,” Det Crameri said.

“We may have intelligence and the little bit of information someone may provide, which they may think is insignificant, may actually build another picture of what is happening within the community.”

After praising the work of his colleagues, Det Crameri was quick to point out the wider problem of methamphetamine extends beyond the removal of “ice” from the streets.

“People who are addicted to ice continue to put a strain on the health system and policing,” he said.

“We need to stop the demand for drugs – if we can stop people wanting to use drugs, that’s the way we can stop the need for rehabilitation and other associated problems related to drugs.”

Anyone in the community with any information about the sale and manufacture of illicit drugs should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.