In response to increased community concern about the ongoing distribution, impact and harm caused by illicit drugs, Wheatbelt Detectives launched an operation to target the distribution of Methamphetamine within Northam.
Throughout October and into November 2016, Operation Virbius Wheatbelt Detectives worked to identify the key parties involved in the sourcing and distribution of illicit drug in the community.
Disturbingly, police will allege that the primary source of supply into Northam involving the conspirators charged, originated from a 15-year-old offender.
The operation commenced with the arrest of four adults after police apprehended some of the group in a vehicle driving on Great Eastern Highway, Bakers Hill, on November 18.
Police will allege that the group possessed methamphetamine with intent to sell or supply the drug, among other charges.
In those initial arrests, police will allege that approximately 45 grams of methamphetamine was located in the vehicle.
Police then executed search warrants at a number of houses within the town site of Northam.
On November 19 and 20, another three adult males were arrested and charged with a variety of offences, including involvement in a conspiracy to possess methamphetamine with intent to sell or supply.
Wheatbelt Detectives travelled into the metropolitan area on November 21 and arrested two juvenile males and an adult male at an address in Wanneroo.
Police will allege that when they searched the property, they located approximately 33 grams of methamphetamine, 30 grams of MDMA, 5 x LSD tabs and small quantity of Cannabis Resin, 3 x laptop computers, 10 x smoking implements, OC spray and house breaking implements among other items of interest to police.
It was one of these 15-year-old offenders arrested in Wannneroo which police allege is the primary source of supply in Northam.
Joint messages from the Officer in Charge of Wheatbelt Detectives and Northam Police Station highlight the commitment police have towards working jointly to prosecute offenders in Northam.
Detective Senior Sergeant Mitch Howard, Officer in Charge of Wheatbelt Detectives highlighted the efforts of detectives and local police working together to protect vulnerable people within the community from the scourge of methamphetamine.
“Drug dealers should take heed of these series of arrests,” he said.
“We will not stand for the community to be rocked by your drug dealing and misery which in turn fuels burglaries, theft and damage as drug users turn to crime in their desire to fund their next hit.”
Officer in Charge of Northam Police Station, Senior Sergeant Geoff DICKSON pointed to a successful team effort that culminated in the arrests within the Northam community.
“Wheatbelt Detectives have bought about a number of key arrests that will send a strong message to drug dealers in this community,” he said.
“The community tells me they have had enough of their houses and cars being broken into to fuel drug habits. I have told drug dealers in this community that enough is enough – this is our response to their crimes against this community.”
The investigation is still ongoing and more arrest and charges may occur.
Summary of Arrests
November 18, 2016:
A 31-year-old female from Northam was arrested and charged. Bail refused - to appear Perth Magistrates Court 19/11/2016
• Offer to Sell Methamphetamine x 8
• Conspiracy to Possess Methamphetamine With Intent x 4
• Conspiracy to Sell Methamphetamine With Intent x 4
• Possess Prohibited Drugs With Intent x 3
• Possess Stolen Property
A 34-year-old female from Northam was arrested and charged. Bail granted with $10,000 x $10,000 surety. To appear Perth Magistrates Court 19/11/2016
• Conspiracy To Possess Methamphetamine With Intent
• Possess Methamphetamine
• Possess Drug Paraphernalia
A 28-year-old male from Northam arrested and charged. Bail granted with $10,000 x $10,000 surety. To appear Perth Magistrates Court 19/11/2016
• Conspiracy To Possess Methamphetamine With Intent
• Possess Methamphetamine
• Possess Drug Paraphernalia
A 30-year old female from Northam was arrested and charged. Bail granted with $10,000 x
$10,000 surety. To appear Perth Magistrates Court 19/11/2016
• Conspiracy To Possess Methamphetamine With Intent
• Possess Methamphetamine With Intent
• Possess Drug Paraphernalia
November 19 and 20, 2016:
A 30-year-old male from Northam was arrested and charged. Bail granted with $10,000 x $10,000 surety. To appear Perth Magistrates Court 20/11/2016
• Conspiracy to Sell/Supply Prohibited Drug x 4
A 39-year-old male from Northam – arrested and charged. Bail granted with $10,000 x $10,000 surety. To appear Perth Magistrates Court 20/11/2016
• Conspiracy to Sell/Supply Prohibited Drug
A 26-year-old male from Northam – arrested and charged: Bail granted with $10,000 x $10,000 surety. To appear Northam Magistrates Court 28/11/16.
• Conspiracy to Sell/Supply Prohibited Drug x 2
November 21, 2016:
A 15-year-old male from Wanneroo, arrested and charged, bail refused – to appear Perth Children's Court 22/11/16
• Conspiracy to Possess Methamphetamine With Intent x 2
• Sold Prohibited Drug
• Possession of Methamphetamine With Intent
• Possession of MDMA With Intent
• Possess Drug Paraphernalia
A 15-year-old male from Wanneroo, arrested and charged, bail refused – to appear Perth Children's Court 22/11/16.
• Possess Methamphetamine With Intent
• Possess LSD With Intent
• Possess Cannabis Resin With Intent
• Possess Drug Paraphernalia
A 28-year-old male from Kallaroo, arrested on outstanding bench warrant, bail refused – to appear Perth Magistrate's Court 22/11/16.
• Bench Warrant for Possession of a Prohibited Drug With Intent to Sell or Supply (Methamphetamine) & Possess a Prohibited Drug (Cannabis)
