Police have arrested the pilot of a light plane after a raid of the aircraft uncovered 45kg of cannabis and methamphetamine products in southern New South Wales.
About 4.30pm on Wednesday, police intercepted an aircraft that had just landed at Deniliquin airport, believed to have left from Adelaide.
On-board, authorities allegedly found the cannabis and 4kg of a precursor to methamphetamine.
They seized the drugs and aircraft and arrested a 67-year-old Queensland man.
Police allege the arrest is related to a large commercial drug and firearm ring, with the illegal goods allegedly supplied from South Australia to NSW by people affiliated with the Descendants and Hells Angels outlaw motorcycle gangs in South Australia.
Three simultaneous search warrants were executed in Hay, in southern NSW, by Deniliquin Local Area Command, with police arresting four men.
Cross-border operations also took place in South Australia and Queensland.
South Australian Police raided nine properties in Adelaide, with six people arrested and charged for serious drug offences.
The Queensland Police Service’s Taskforce Maxima executed search warrants upon a number of addresses in Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
In the eight month investigation police seized 38 firearms, 100 ecstasy pills and small amount of methamphetamine, and uncovered links to outlaw motorcycle gang activity in South Australia.
“These investigations have been into a suspected major supply chain for illicit commodities across state borders,” NSW Gangs Squad Detective Inspector Gavin Wood said.
“It sends a strong message that borders are irrelevant to law enforcement agencies working collaboratively to target the trafficking of firearms and drugs.”
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