A unit in northern NSW known as the "ice castle" that was allegedly being used as a base to supply drugs across the state and into Victoria has been shut down and the network behind it is dismantled.
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Nine people have been arrested since police raided the South Tamworth apartment and other homes on Wednesday and Thursday following a 10-month investigation.
Five women and four men have been charged with various drugs and weapons offences.
Police say the property was a distribution centre for drugs from Tamworth to the NSW Central Coast, and across the border into Melbourne.
"I'm happy to say that 'ice castle' is now closed for business," Detective Acting Inspector Jason Darcy told reporters on Thursday.
Officers seized two replica guns, ammunition, mobile phones, jewellery, cash and a NSW Police Force jacket, among other property in the raid.
Acting Superintendent Kylie Endemi said it was concerning the illegal syndicate was operating in the community.
"Ice is particularly renowned for tearing communities apart," she told reporters.
"Our efforts have completely dismantled that destructive network and we have removed illegal firearms and prohibited drugs from our street,"
A 49-year-old man arrested at the South Tamworth unit has been charged with 44 offences, including drugs and weapons offences.
He and a 49-year-old woman allegedly helped supply more than 1.5kg of the drug ice, along with heroin, fentanyl patches and cannabis leaf.
Two men aged 28 and 44 and a 41-year-old woman were also charged in the operation.
Two women, aged 40 and 54, were arrested on Thursday morning charged with supplying an indictable quantity of a prohibited drug and other offences.
All seven were refused bail and are due to face the Tamworth Local Court on Thursday.
A 28-year-old woman was also charged with two counts of drug supply and a 30-year-old man was charged with drug supply and participating in a criminal group.
They are both due to appear before Tamworth Local Court on Friday.
"We will continue to seize prohibited drugs and illegal firearms and target those who participate in criminal activity on all levels," Supt Endemi said.
"People can be on notice."
Australian Associated Press
