Third man charged with drug and firearm offences – Coffs Harbour Coffs Coast Coffs Coast News by News Of The Area - Modern Media - September 20, 2020 A third man has been charged by Coffs Harbour Region Enforcement Squad (RES) as part of an ongoing investigation into drug cultivation and distribution in the Nambucca Valley. In April this year, officers from Coffs Harbour Region Enforcement Squad established Strike Force Anketell to investigate a criminal group involved in the large-scale cultivation, manufacture and supply of prohibited drugs across northern NSW. Investigators were also conducting inquiries into the circumstances of a shooting at Kalang in April 2020. Strike force investigators charged two men – aged 41 and 36 – with drug and firearms offences after they were arrested, with assistance from the Tactical Operations Unit, at a rural property at Thora on Wednesday (16 September 2020). Both men remain before the courts. Following further inquiries, strike force investigators, assisted by the Dog Unit and the Northern Region DV High Risk Offender Team, arrested a third man – aged 42 – at a home at Bowraville just before 9am today (Friday 18 September 2020). He was taken to Coffs Harbour Police Station, where he was charged with 13 offences including: Supply prohibited drug (commercial) Discharge firearm etc intend cause grievous bodily harm Use unauthorised firearm Possess unauthorised firearm Manufacture prohibited drug (commercial quantity) Manufacture prohibited drug (indictable quantity – not cannabis) Supply cannabis (indictable quantity) Supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity) (x2) Cultivate prohibited plant (commercial quantity) Knowingly direct activities of criminal group Goods suspected stolen in/on premises (motor vehicle) The Missabotti man has been refused bail to appear at Port Macquarie Local Court tomorrow (Saturday 19 September 2020). Investigations under Strike Force Anketell are ongoing and further arrests are expected.
