Alleged Riverina drug dealer behind bars after police sting

AN ALLEGED Riverina drug dealer is behind bars facing a staggering 58 criminal charges, including 35 drug supply offences, 13 counts of driving while disqualified and a dangerous police pursuit, following a major six-month police investigation.

The 27-year-old woman was arrested when detectives swooped on a Lavington property in Albury on Thursday morning, bringing months of investigations into suspected drug trafficking and property theft to a head.

The arrest followed an extensive operation by Strike Force Tanza, established by Murray River Police District in May to investigate the alleged supply of illicit drugs and stolen property across the Albury area.

Detectives descended on a Hague Street address about 10am on Thursday, November 12, where the woman and a 32-year-old man were arrested.

The woman was hauled into Albury Police Station, where investigators laid a whopping 58 charges including 35 drug supply offences, ranging from supplying small quantities of prohibited drugs to quantities exceeding the indictable threshold, along with two allegations of supplying drugs on an ongoing basis.

She also faces three counts of possessing prohibited drugs.

But the allegations extend well beyond the suspected drug trade.

The woman has also been charged with driving while disqualified on 13 separate occasions, along with offences relating to an alleged dangerous police pursuit, reckless driving and operating an unregistered and uninsured vehicle.

Other charges include recklessly dealing with proceeds of crime and bringing a prohibited drug or plant into a place of detention.

The 32-year-old man arrested at the property was wanted over alleged offences in Victoria and was subsequently extradited across the border.

The police operation continued about 3pm that afternoon, when investigators raided a storage facility on Catherine Crescent in Lavington.

During the search, officers seized power tools, a gel blaster pistol and other items allegedly linked to the investigation.

The woman was refused police bail and appeared before Bail Division Court 5 on Friday, November 13, where a magistrate formally refused bail.

She remains in custody and is due to face Albury Local Court on Wednesday, November 18.

Police say investigations under Strike Force Tanza are continuing.