Further nine charged as three-day proactive drug, knife crime operation concludes - Riverina Police District
Friday, 20 June 2025 10:01:02 AM
PLEASE NOTE: Still images from yesterday’s operations can be downloaded via Hightail https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/phR6Yrf2h8
An additional nine people have been charged with a total of 19 offences as a three-day proactive two-pronged operation concludes in the Riverina Police District
In February 2025, officers attached to Southern Region Enforcement Squad established Strike Force Vandehei-Wilkinson to investigate the alleged supply of illicit drugs.
Officers attached to the Region Enforcement Squad with assistance from Southern Operations Group, Southern Domestic Violence High Risk Offenders Team, officers attached to Riverina Police District, NSW Dog Unit and Police Transport Command executed a number of search warrants in Tumut and Lake Albert.
At the conclusion of the operation, a total of 20 people had been arrested with more than 60 charges laid. Nine of those arrested occurred yesterday, with details of yesterday’s arrests including,
A 25-year-old man was arrested at a home in Capper Street, Tumut, where almost 1.5kg of cannabis was seize. The man was taken to Tumut Police Station where he was charged with one count of supply a prohibited drug, possess a prohibited drug, aggravated break and enter, and two outstanding warrants. He was refused bail to appear in Wagga Wagga Local court today.
An 18-year-old man was arrested in Lambie Street, Tumut, and charged with supply a prohibited drug, and possess ammunition. He was refused bail to appear in Wagga wagga Local Court on 20 August 2025.
A 21-year-old man was charged with supply a prohibited drug, while two other men, , aged 21 and 30, have been charged with take part in the supply of a prohibited drug. A 33-year-old man is also charged with supply a prohibited drug. All were granted condition bail to appear in Wagga Wagga Local Court on 20 August 2025.
Operation Ares, a high-visibility operation in which officers used handheld scanners – or electronic metal-detecting ‘wands’ – was also conducted in Riverina Police District, with the aim of reducing knife crime and boost community safety.
Between 2pm and 12pm yesterday (Thursday 19 June 2025), officers attached to Riverina Police District carried out a knife scanning operation in Wagga Wagga and Tumut.
During the one-day operation, 60 people were scanned with no weapons and prohibited drugs were detected; however, subsequent to the operation a man was arrested in Forsyth Street and – when searched – police seized knives, a tomahawk and a balaclava. That man has been charged with goods in custody, possess housebreaking implements, and custody of a knife. He has been granted conditional bail to appear in Wagga Wagga Local Court on 27 August 2025.
In other interactions yesterday, a 41-year-old man was charged with assault police, and possess prohibited drug. He was refused bail to appear in Wagga Wagga Local Court today.
Riverina Police District Commander, Superintendent Andrew Spliet, paid tribute to the hard work performed by his teams over the past few days.
“I know there is a great deal of community support for these proactive operations targeting street-level crimes across the Police District, and I am committed to further similar operations being conducted in coming months.
“I remind anyone with information about the supply of illegal drugs and the possession of knives without a valid excuse that they can call Wagga Wagga Police or Crime Stoppers anything on 1800 333 000,” Supt Spliet said.
Anyone with information about incidents such as these is urged to contact Wagga Wagga Police or Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au Information is managed on a confidential basis. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.