TWO men have been charged with drug and firearm offences after a cannabis crop was discovered during the execution of a search warrant at a Millmerran Woods property on April 16.

In separate incidents, 12 people in Armidale have been charged with 40 offences under Operation Soteria.

Officers from the Tactical Crime Squad, Rural and Stock Crime Squad and Millmerran Police station located 335 cannabis plants, 3.4kg of loose cannabis and drug-related hydroponic property, during a search of a Cabbage Gum Road address.

Police also located and seized a firearm and knuckledusters.

A 37-year-old man from Millmerran Woods has been charged with five offences including two counts of unlawful possession of weapons category A,B or M and one count each of producing dangerous drugs, possessing dangerous drugs and possess utensils or pipes that have been used.

He is due to reappear in the Toowoomba Magistrates Court on May 27.

A 58-year-old man from Millmerran Woods has been charged with five offences including one count each of producing dangerous drugs, possessing dangerous drugs, possess utensils or pipes that have been used, possessing anything used in the commission of a crime and unlawful possession of weapons category A,B or M.

He is due to reappear in the Toowoomba Magistrates Court on May 27.

Investigations are ongoing.

If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.

Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au

Cannabis seized at a Millmerran Woods property on April 16.

Meanwhile, in New South Wales, 12 people have been charged during a three-day blitz under Operation Soteria, which was established to target youth crime in the western and northern regional areas of the state.

From Monday, April 14 to Wednesday, April 16, officers attached to New England Police District, as well as Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, Youth Command, and Western Region Domestic Violence High Risk Team, were deployed to Armidale for the three-day operation.

During the operation, 12 people were charged with a total of 40 offences.

Incidents of note:

At about 3.45pm on Tuesday, April 15, police attempted to stop a sedan on Hitchcock’s Lane, Armidale, and when it failed to stop, a pursuit was initiated.

The pursuit was terminated due to safety concerns. Police allegedly observed the sedan travelling at speed, and collide with a trailer being towed by an SUV.

A foot pursuit ensued as the driver ran from the scene before hitting a power pole. The 22-year-old was arrested and taken to Armidale Police Station where he was charged with learner not accompanied by driver/police officer/tester, police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously and not give particulars to other driver. He was refused bail and appeared before Tamworth Local Court yesterday.

On Monday, a 19-year-old man was arrested by virtue of two outstanding warrants relating to alleged assault and domestic violence offences.

He was taken to Armidale Police Station where he was refused bail to appear at Armidale Local Court today the same day.

On Wednesday, a 34-year-old man was arrested by virtue of three outstanding warrants for alleged assault and child abuse offences. He was taken to Armidale Police Station where he was refused bail to appear at Glenn Innes Local Court today.

At about 9.10pm yesterday, a 25-year-old man was arrested by virtue of two outstanding warrants for alleged assault and drug offences. He was taken to Armidale Police Station where he was refused bail to Armidale Local Court today.

Police News