Major Police Operation in Bega Leads to Multiple Arrests
A group of seven individuals, comprising four men and three women, is set to face court following an alleged violent confrontation with police officers on the Far South Coast of New South Wales. The incident unfolded in Bega on Tuesday, November 11, after police responded to reports of suspected drug activity.
Confrontation Erupts During Drug Investigation
At approximately 12:10 pm on November 11, officers from the South Coast Police District were called to Gipps Street in Bega. The initial reports concerned alleged drug dealings. Upon arrival, police attempted to speak with a man who was seen interacting with occupants of a parked vehicle in the Vinnies car park.
According to police allegations, the 26-year-old man became uncooperative and resisted officers. During his arrest, police claim to have located almost four grams of methamphetamine in his possession. It is further alleged that the man armed himself with a hammer in an attempt to flee, but was unsuccessful.
Scene Escalates into Alleged Assault on Officers
The situation intensified when the four occupants of the vehicle—two men aged 34 and 40, and two women aged 33 and 44—allegedly surrounded a male police constable and assaulted him.
The chaos continued as a 64-year-old woman arrived at the scene and is accused of obstructing police. In a separate and more serious incident, a 40-year-old man, who was already under arrest, allegedly punched a male police sergeant in the face. The force of the blow caused the sergeant to fall and strike his head on concrete, resulting in a laceration near his eye.
A 30-year-old man also arrived and allegedly attempted to obstruct the ongoing arrests, during which a senior constable sustained grazing injuries while trying to detain him.
Weapons and Drugs Allegedly Found
A subsequent search of the vehicle allegedly uncovered a quantity of drugs, an extendable baton, a prohibited weapon, along with drug paraphernalia and scales. All seven people were taken to Bega Police Station for processing.
The charges laid are severe. The 40-year-old man faces multiple counts, including assaulting a police officer causing actual bodily harm and possessing a prohibited drug. The 26-year-old man was charged with supplying a prohibited drug and destroying property. Both were refused bail and were scheduled to appear in Bail Division Court 3 on Wednesday, November 12.
The other individuals, including the 34-year-old man, the 30-year-old man, and the three women aged 33, 44, and 64, were charged with offences such as assaulting police and hindering officers. They were issued Court Attendance Notices for appearances in the Bega Local Court on various dates throughout November and December.
