Police say they have seized more than $1 million worth of drugs and arrested a fourth man as part of raids across the Hunter Valley which included the Gladiators’ clubhouse in Maitland.
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Five properties were raided on Tuesday as part of a year-long investigation into the manufacture and supply of drugs in the Hunter Valley.
Police from Strike Force Raptor, the State Crime Command Gangs Squad and Central Hunter conducted the raids about 9.30am.
Officers executed search warrants at the Portland Street clubhouse of the Gladiators outlaw motorcycle club in Horseshoe Bend and properties at Largs, Rutherford, Dungog and Port Stephens.
A 41-year-old man, who police said was a Gladiators member, was charged with a number of offences relating to the commercial supply of drugs.
He was also charged with possession of an unauthorised pistol, receiving or disposing of stolen property and dealing with the proceeds of crime.
Police said a senior Gladiators office bearer, 49, from Horseshoe Bend was charged with four counts of possessing a prohibited weapon and unauthorised ammunition.
A 25-year-old man from Port Stephens was charged with a number of offences relating to commercial drug supply and possession of unauthorised firearms.
Detective Inspector John Walke from the State Crime Command Gangs Squad said a fourth man, a 53-year-old from Tenambit, was arrested on Wednesday morning.
Inspector Walke said the investigation was ongoing.
Central Hunter local area commander Superintendant Garry O’Dell said the supply of prohibited drugs was a big issue in the area.
“We’re talking about significant quantities and if we hadn’t intervened these drugs would have become available to people in the community,” he said.
“They’re illegal drugs, we see lots of poor behaviour and crime connected to these illegal drugs. I expect it to make a significant impact on drug supply in the area.”
Superintendent O’Dell said Central Hunter police would continue to work with the Gangs Squad.
“Whether it be outlaw motorcycle gang members or not, anyone involved in the supply of drugs we’ll target,” he said. “We’ll continue to monitor the activities of known criminals and where we can we’ll take action to interrupt them and their activities.”
