This has resulted in the complete dismantling of a Southern Highlands criminal enterprise that spread its dirty tentacles all the way to Goulburn and into Sydney and the Central Coast.

All the major suppliers of ice in the Southern Highlanders and many of their "feeders" have been removed from our community due to the tireless work of our local police.

The head of a very dangerous snake that was winding its way through the Southern Highlands has been cut off, and its tail has been swept up for good measure too.

I have been involved in numerous drug supply investigations during my 24-year career with the New South Wales Police Force, and this particular investigation is one of the most meticulously run operations I have ever seen.

The police involved should be proud of their work and the outcomes achieved.

Search warrants were conducted throughout the day on Tuesday at various locations throughout the Southern Highlands and Sydney.

We recovered a large amount of drugs, cash, stolen property, a replica pistol and two poker machines.

Over the next few days we will continue to target outstanding offenders and expect to arrest another 40-odd persons of interest who we have identified as being involved in this criminal enterprise.

Overall, this will have a far-reaching impact to not only the supply of drugs, particularly ice, in our area, but also the associated crime that goes along with it.

Property theft and street-level crime levels will fall as there is no reason now for those thieves, who need to steal to make money to buy drugs, to come to our area as the dealers are gone.

The community is safer as a result of this investigation and I could not be any prouder of the staff here at The Hume Local Area Command.

The message is clear, if you deal in drugs, you will be caught!

For those considering taking up the slack, get your toothbrush ready because you will be next.

Until next week...