A police operation involving units from several districts has descended upon Cowra in the early hours between Tuesday 7 January and Wednesday 8th of January. Officers attached to Chifley Police District, Western Region Enforcement Squad, Operational Support Group, Rural Crime Prevention Team, Traffic and Highway Patrol Command and Rescue & Bomb Disposal Unit saturated Cowra and surrounds under Operation Suppress to proactively target alleged offenders. Operation Suppress maintains a particular focus on wanted persons as well as alleged property, drug and domestic violence-related offenders, to enhance community safety. As part of Operation Suppress, police arrested and charged six people, as well as, • Conducting 21 roadside drug tests (RDTs) (seven returning a positive result) • Issuing seven infringement notices for speeding and six for other traffic offences • Conducting 54 firearm safe storage inspections • Performing 42 random breath tests (RBTs) • Completing 18 apprehended domestic violence order compliance checks • Conducting 10 person searches • Carrying out nine firearms prohibition searches • Executing five search warrants • Conducting five bail compliance checks • Seizing three unregistered trail bikes, and • Conducting three vehicle searches. In an early morning post on Saturday, police released information on the targets of the raids, which focused on serious crimes and threats to public safety. On 8 January 2025, police conducted a Firearms Prohibition Compliance search at a unit on Bonner Street, Kelso, and arrested a 31-year-old man by virtue of two outstanding warrants for the offences of steal property in dwelling – house, and stalk/intimidation (DV), and for the additional charge of assault police. He was refused bail to appear before Bathurst Local Court on 14 January 2025. On Tuesday 7 January 2025, police conducted a search warrant at a home on Kendal Street, Cowra, where they seized a mobile phone that police believe will assist with ongoing investigations. On Wednesday 8 January 2025, police arrested a 31-year-old man at Kendal Street, Cowra, who was taken to Cowra Police Station and charged with multiple domestic violence-related offences. He appeared before Orange Local Court on Thursday 9 January 2025. On 7 January 2025, police arrested a 46-year-old man at Thomas Street, Cowra, and charged him with aggravated break and enter dwelling etc in company steal, and goods suspected stolen in/on premises. He was granted conditional bail to appear before Cowra Local Court on Wednesday 26 February 2025. On 7 January 2025, police conducted a Firearm Prohibition Compliance search at a home on Victor Street, Cowra, where they found two gel blaster firearms. Police arrested a 32-year-old man and took him to Cowra Police Station where he was charged with two counts of firearm etc found at premises – subject to prohibition order. He was granted conditional bail to appear before Cowra Local Court on Wednesday 26 February 2025. On Tuesday 7 January 2025, police arrested a 50-year-old man at William Street and took him to Cowra Police Station where he was charged with three counts of possess prohibited drug, receiving (recovered motorcycle), possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority, and possess, supply or make explosive for unlawful purpose. He appeared before Cowra Local Court on Wednesday 8 January 2025, where he was formally bail refused to appear before the same court on Wednesday 26 February 2025. Operation Suppress will be continually rolled-out throughout the Chifley Police District.
