CHARGED: Three will face court over the supply of illegal drugs, including cannabis. Photo: Fairfax
TAMWORTH police have charged three people involved in an alleged drug syndicate believed to be operating in the Tamworth area.
Detectives from Oxley Local Area Command established Strike Force Coomalie in June this year to investigate the supply of illegal drugs, including cannabis and cocaine.
Police will allege the syndicate has been involved in the supply of more than 14.5kg of cannabis worth an estimated $250,000.
Yesterday morning detectives arrested three people after attending a home in Henry St, Werris Creek and another in Illoura St, Tamworth.
Sisters 22-year-old Meg Richmond and 24-year-old Kaya Richmond and unrelated 26-year-old Nicholas Dobson were taken to Tamworth Police Station and interviewed by detectives.
Kaya Richmond was charged with supplying cannabis, supplying cocaine, supplying MDMA, knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime, participation in a criminal group and possession of steroids.
Meg Richmond was charged with supplying cannabis, knowingly deal with the proceeds of crime, and participation in a criminal group.
Dobson will face charges of supplying cannabis, supplying MDMA, knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime, participating in a criminal group and breach of bail.
It is understood police will also allege they seized 2.7kg of cannabis with an estimated street value of $500,000, a small quantity of steroids and $16,900 in cash after raiding the same two homes earlier this month.
At a bail court appearance yesterday Kaya Richmond applied for bail but was refused by Tamworth Local Court registrar Lloyd Stanimirovic.
Her sister Meg and Dobson did not apply for bail but were refused anyway.
All three cases were adjourned to Tamworth Local Court on Monday.
The trio will appear in court on that date through videolink.
Oxley Local Area Command crime manager Inspector Phil O’Reillysaid the arrests were the result of a lengthy investigation and commended the team of investigators for their efforts.