A significant drug operation in Lightning Ridge has been dismantled by police with three people charged and more arrests expected.
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At about 8am on Friday, search warrants were executed at a business and two homes in Lightning Ridge.
During the searches, officers located and seized more than $17,000 cash, methylamphetamine, MDMA, cocaine, cannabis, electronics, a jet ski, a quad bike, two dirt bikes and three cars at a home.
A 30-year-old man, 21-year-old man and 29-year-old woman have been arrested and charged over the investigation.
Central North Police District Commander Superintendent Andrew Hurst said he was "confident" police had dismantled a drug network in the Lightning Ridge community.
He said more arrests would be coming.
"The investigations aren't finished, rather this is the start," Superintendent Hurst said.
"There are other members of the Lightning Ridge community who will be visited by police shortly that relate to the activities of this investigation."
A 30-year-old man was arrested and taken to Lightning Ridge Police Station, where he was charged with knowingly direct activities of a criminal group, three counts of supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis, knowingly deal with proceeds of crime intent to conceal, and two counts of possess prohibited drug.
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A 21-year-old man was also arrested at the address and taken to Walgett Police Station, where he was charged with participate in criminal group contribute criminal activity, supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis, knowingly deal with proceeds of crime intent to conceal, and two counts of possess prohibited drug.
A 29-year-old woman was arrested and taken to Walgett Police Station where she was charged with participation criminal group contribute criminal activity and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime intent to conceal.
They were all refused bail and appeared at Dubbo Local Court on Saturday, where they were formally refused bail to reappear at Walgett Local Court on Tuesday.
"Police allege this recent property crime in the Lightning Ridge area directly relates to the activities of these men and this woman that were charged [on Monday] and also to recent activities and concerns of young people in the Lightning Ridge area who are using prohibited drugs," Superintendent Hurst said.
"The supply and use of prohibited drugs in our regional communities is a serious issue and we demonstrated with the resources and the level of investigation that has been undertaken into this particular matter that we take it very seriously."
Superintendent Hurst also thanked the local community for the "invaluable assistance" provided to police.
He encouraged members of the public not to put up with drug use in the community by reporting it to Crime Stoppers.
In June 2020, detectives attached to Central North Police District established Strike Force Buckinbah to investigate the supply of prohibited drugs in the Lightning Ridge area.
The searches on Friday were undertaken in collaboration with the Central North Police District Proactive Crime Team, Oxley Region Enforcement Squad and the Dog Unit.
If you suspect a person in your community is supplying prohibited drugs, contact your local police station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Investigators welcome information from the community regarding the description of vehicles used to courier drugs, the identity of people who are suspected of supplying drugs and the names of those people who are suspected of buying drugs.
Inquiries continue and further arrests are expected to be made.
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