AN alleged drug dealer is in police custody following raids on three Lavington homes yesterday.
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The woman, 32, was arrested after 150 ecstasy tablets and more than $3500 in cash were uncovered in the police operation.
Det Insp Brad Blanchard, of Albury police, said the arrest was a significant victory in the war against drugs in the city.
“We see it as having taken another supplier off the streets of Albury,” he said.
“It should be sending a clear message to those involved in the manufacture and supply of drugs that we are about, we’re active in that area and we’ll continue to be.”
Raids were conducted at homes in McDonald Road, Lavington, and Glenelg Drive and Gardinia Street in Springdale Heights.
More than 18 officers from Albury and Deniliquin police were involved, along with a sniffer dog from Sydney.
Glass bottles and an egg were thrown at media who had gathered in Glenelg Drive and Gardinia Street during the raids.
Residents also hurled abuse from adjoining homes, with one woman telling cameramen and journalists to leave the street alone.
Insp Blanchard said the raids formed part of an operation known as Strikeforce Judkin, which began with a tip-off from a member of the public about a month ago.
“From that information we’ve continued the investigation, identified those suppliers involved and made that arrest,” he said.
“We expect that further arrests will be made — it’s just a matter of time.”
Ecstasy seized in the raid is estimated to have a street value of $4000.
Insp Blanchard hoped the capture would deliver a considerable blow to the local drug market.
“We’ve run other operations in the past and we’ve seen significant results and reduction in the amounts of drugs that are around on the streets,” he said.
“We hope that this contributes to that as well.”
Insp Blanchard warned the police operation would be ongoing and that officers were taking a tough stand in relation to anyone caught with drugs.
“We won’t take a backward step when it comes to that sort of stuff,” he said.
“And if any members of the public have any information at all in relation to drugs, drug supply, drug manufacture, please contact us.”
The Springdale Heights woman was charged with the ongoing supply of prohibited drugs and will appear before Albury Local Court today.
