Violent Confrontation Erupts During Suspected Drug Operation
A routine police response to alleged drug activity escalated into a violent confrontation on Tuesday, resulting in seven people being charged and three officers injured. The incident occurred in the carpark of a Vinnies op shop on Gipps Street in Bega, on the NSW South Coast.
Hammer Wielded and Officers Attacked
According to NSW Police, officers arrived at the scene around 12:10 pm on Tuesday after receiving reports of suspicious behaviour. They attempted to speak with a 26-year-old man who was seen with four people inside a parked car. Police allege the man became unco-operative and resisted efforts to question him.
Upon arresting the 26-year-old, officers allege they found 4 grams of methamphetamine in his possession. The situation intensified when the man allegedly armed himself with a hammer in an attempt to escape, which was unsuccessful.
It is further alleged that the four occupants of the vehicle then surrounded a male police constable and assaulted him. In a separate attack, another man is accused of punching a male police sergeant in the face. The sergeant fell, striking his head on the concrete and suffering a laceration near his eye.
Weapons and Drugs Allegedly Found in Vehicle
The chaos continued as a 30-year-old man arrived at the location and allegedly obstructed the ongoing arrests, during which a senior constable sustained grazes. A 64-year-old woman who also turned up allegedly tried to intervene.
In total, seven people were arrested:
- The initial 26-year-old man
- The four vehicle occupants: two men aged 34 and 40, and two women aged 33 and 44
- The 30-year-old man who arrived later
- The 64-year-old woman
A subsequent search of the vehicle allegedly uncovered a quantity of drugs, an extendable baton, a prohibited weapon, drug paraphernalia, and scales.
Multiple Charges Laid as Accused Face Court
The accused now face a range of serious charges. The 40-year-old man was charged with multiple counts, including assaulting police and hindering officers. The 26-year-old man was charged with supplying a prohibited drug and resisting police.
Both the 26-year-old and the 40-year-old were refused bail and are expected to appear in court on Wednesday. The 34-year-old man was granted conditional bail and is set to face Bega Local Court on December 23.
The remaining individuals—the 30-year-old man and the three women aged 33, 44, and 64—were issued Court Attendance Notices. Their court dates are scheduled for November 25 and December, respectively.
