Drugs, firearms and cash have been allegedly seized and a man charged in a targeted police operation in the state’s north-west.
Oxley Police District established Strike Force Bogangate II in early 2026 to investigate the supply of prohibited drugs in the Tamworth area.
As a part of this investigation, on Wednesday 7 October 2026, investigators stopped a Holden Commodore on the New England Highway at Willow Tree.
A search of the vehicle allegedly located approximately 500 grams of methylamphetamine.
The driver, a 40-year-old man was arrested and charged – he remains before the court.
Following inquiries, about 6am yesterday (Wednesday 4 November 2026), Tamworth Detectives and the Oxley Proactive Crime Team, assisted by the Western Operations Support Group, Dog Unit and Western Rescue Squad, attended a property in Caloola Street, Hillvue, for the execution a search warrant.
Police allegedly located and seized 1.8 kilograms of cannabis, 20 grams of cocaine, $16,000 cash and mobile devices including a suspected Dedicated Encrypted Criminal Communication Device (DECCD).
A 44-year-old man was arrested at the scene and taken to Tamworth Police Station.
About 8:20am the same day, investigators attended a storage facility on Gunnedah Road, Westdale and executed a search warrant.
Police allegedly located and seized five motorcycles, one gel blaster and two 3D printed firearms.
The 44-year-old man was charged with:
- Supply prohibited drug greater than large commercial quantity
- Supply prohibited drug greater than commercial quantity
- Supply cannabis greater than indictable and less than commercial quantity
- Knowingly direct activities of criminal group
- Deal with property proceeds of crime greater than $100000
- Possess unauthorised pistol
- Two counts of manufacture pistol without licence/permit
He was refused bail to appear before Bail Division Court 5 today (Thursday 5 November 2026), where he was formally refused bail to appear before Tamworth Local Court on Wednesday 13 January 2026.
