POLICE uncovered an “Aladdin’s cave” of drugs, weapons and stolen property during a series of well-executed raids across the city late last week.
Seven arrests have been made and more are expected after Operation Vikings netted a large amount of marijuana, methamphetamine and stolen goods – including jewellery and household items suspected of being taken from homes of Yenda flood victims.
A 35-year-old Leaver Street, Yenda man will front a bail hearing at Griffith courthouse today in connection with the stolen property.
Among the other incidents:
* a 16-year-old Griffith boy was charged with possessing methamphetamine – or “ice” - after being searched in Noorla Street on Thursday. He will face Griffith Children’s Court on June 27.
* a number of small bags of methamphetamine and “ice pipes” were unearthed during a search of a Noorla Street home on Thursday. Investigations are continuing.
* a 36-year-old Griffith woman will front court on July 11 after a large amount of marijuana was found in her home on Thursday.
* a 30-year-old Doherty Street woman was handed a cannabis caution after she was found with a small amount of the drug on Friday.
* a 67-year-old Poole Street man will face court at a date to be fixed after police found him in possession of marijuana.
* a 39-year-old Griffith man was charged with possessing a prohibited weapon after a set of nunchakus were found in his home on Friday. He will face Griffith Local Court on July 4.
* a 40-year-old Griffith man was arrested and charged with possessing marijuana after being searched in Curtin Street.
* arrests are expected after a search of a Hyandra Street home unearthed suspected stolen property and marijuana.
The three-day operation, which ran from Wednesday to Friday, utilised plain clothes and uniformed officers from Griffith Police’s target action group (TAG).
Griffith Police crime manager Detective Inspector Paul Smith warned operations would be ongoing and called on members of the community to help police in their fight.
“I urge members of the public to contact police if they have any information concerning crime in their community,” Detective Inspector Smith said.
“From our experience, property theft and drugs often have a connection because users need to feed their habit.
“These raids are part of our ongoing efforts and they will continue.”
Suspected criminal activity can be confidentially reported to Griffith Police on 6969 4299 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.