Two men were arrested and charged following searches at four homes in Lake Cargelligo yesterday, Wednesday 20 August.

Operation Soteria is a strategic initiative focusing on aggravated break, enter and steal offences, stealing motor vehicles, and ‘post and boast’ offences where social media is used to gain notoriety.

Investigators had been making inquiries into information received that persons within the Lake Cargelligo township have been involved in property offences, coupled with the supply and sale of prohibited drugs.

At 8.10am yesterday (Wednesday 20 August 2025), officers attached to Operation Soteria and Central West Police District, along with Dog Squad and Operational Support Group officers, executed a search warrant at an address in Lake Cargelligo.

During the search police allegedly located and seized $2320 in cash, 47.5 grams of MDMA with an estimated street value of $4700 and 7.4 grams of methylamphetamine.

They also located an alleged indoor cannabis cultivation set up and seized ten cannabis plants.

Police also seized 100 grams of cannabis, electronic items, prescribed restricted substances, prohibited weapons and drug equipment allegedly used in the supply of prohibited drugs.

A 38-year-old man was arrested at the address.

He was taken to Lake Cargelligo Police Station.

The man was charged with:

• break and enter,
• recklessly deal with proceeds of crime less than $5000,
• possess or use a prohibited weapon without a permit,
• three counts of supply prohibited drug,
• cultivate prohibited plants and
• possess a prescribed restricted substance.

He was refused bail and will appear at Parramatta Bail Division today, Thursday 21 August 2025.

Second search

Just 20 minutes after the first warrant was executed, at 8.30am, the combined team executed a further search warrant at another address in Lake Cargelligo, about a stolen motor vehicle.

During the search warrant police located and seized items of clothing that will be alleged were worn during the commission of the offence.

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A 29-year-old man was arrested at the address. He was taken to Lake Cargelligo Police Station and charged with being carried in a conveyance without the consent of the owner.

He was given conditional bail to appear before Lake Cargelligo Local Court on Wednesday 8 October 2025.

Then, at 10am, the squad executed a search warrant at a third address in Lake Cargelligo.

Police seized a small amount of cannabis, a prohibited weapon and tools that police will allege have been stolen.

Investigations following the execution of this search warrant are ongoing.

Three hours later, at 1pm, the officers executed a further search warrant at a fourth address in Lake Cargelligo.

Dog squad officers searched the premises.

No items were seized by police.

Investigations following the execution of this search warrant are ongoing and Operation Soteria continues.