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ICE to an estimated street value of $200,000 has been taken off the streets and eight more people arrested following major drug raids in the Highlands and Western Sydney this week.
As the arrest phase of Strike Force Trinculo continues, police have encouraged anyone involved in drug supply in the Southern Highlands to come forward.
Acting Superintendent Andrew Koutsoufis, acting commander of The Hume Local Area Command, called on any remaining members of the criminal group to turn themselves in.
"It's only a matter of time before they get caught," he said.
"Eight more people either handed themselves in or were wrapped up on Wednesday."
Acting Superintendent Koutsoufis said the additional eight people arrested were from the Highlands, particularly from the Bowral and Moss Vale areas.
Twelve key members of a drug supply group were arrested on Tuesday when more than 80 police officers carried out seven search warrants targeting the supply of methylamphetamine (ice) in the Highlands.
Four women, seven men and a 17-year-old boy were charged with a range of drug-supply offences.
Police attended two houses in Bowral, two in Moss Vale, and others in Mount Annan, Ambarvale and Edmondson Park and seized ice, more than $30,000 cash, two poker machines, a replica pistol, alleged stolen property and other drug-related material.
"We expect that arrests will continue in the coming days, and we will sweep up all those people still out there," Acting Superintendent Koutsoufis said.
He said the Southern Highlands communities were safer and more secure because of the five-month operation that culminated this week.
Nine of the inital twelve arrested appeared at Goulburn Local Court on Wednesday, including alleged ringleader 26-year-old Charlee Lloyd.
She was charged with supply large commercial quantity of drug, direct criminal group, recruit child to carry out criminal activity, four counts of ongoing drug supply, knowingly deal with proceeds of crime and conduct four drug premises.
All nine were refused bail and will appear again on August 10.
Detective Acting Inspector Matt Woods, Acting Crime Manager, said Strike Force Trinculo detectives had identified the supply of a conservative estimate of 3.2kg of ice through the Southern Highlands between March and July.
"Overall police will allege that 3.2kg of meth was supplied by the offenders to various persons in the Southern Highlands and Southern Tablelands," he said.
Detective Acting Inspector Woods said police had received valuable assistance from the public over the past five months and encouraged anyone with further information to contact police.
"We received invaluable information and assistance from members of the community during this investigation" he said.
“If anyone has information about this type of offence, please contact local police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”