Two men charged after Maitland drug supply investigation

newy.com.au – Two 24-year-old men have been charged with alleged commercial drug supply offences following an investigation by the Hunter Region Enforcement Squad in Maitland.

Police stopped a vehicle in Thornton about 6pm on Wednesday 18 March 2026 as part of the investigation. During a search of the vehicle, officers allegedly seized about 18.7 grams of cocaine, 23.85 grams of MDMA, $15,950 in cash and two mobile phones. One man was arrested and taken to Maitland Police Station.

A short time later, police executed a search warrant at a home on Chitambo Street, Macquarie Hills, where they allegedly located and seized about 202 grams of cocaine and 270 grams of MDMA. Search warrants were also carried out at a home on Louden Close, Thornton, and a storage unit in Cardiff.

During those searches, police allegedly seized $271,475 in cash, about 6.276 kilograms of MDMA, 195 grams of cocaine, fireworks, two gel blaster firearms, a cash counter and electronics. A second 24-year-old man was arrested at the Thornton home and taken to Maitland Police Station.

The first man was charged with 17 offences, including 10 counts of supplying a prohibited drug in a quantity greater than indictable and less than commercial, two counts of supplying a prohibited drug in a commercial quantity, two counts of supplying a prohibited drug in a large commercial quantity, dealing with property proceeds of crime greater than $100,000, participating in a criminal group to contribute to criminal activity, and possessing an unauthorised firearm.

The second man was charged with 32 offences, including 13 counts of supplying a prohibited drug in a quantity greater than indictable and less than commercial, six counts of supplying a prohibited drug in a quantity greater than small and less than or equal to indictable, two counts of supplying prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis, supplying a prohibited drug in a commercial quantity, supplying a prohibited drug in a large commercial quantity, supplying a prohibited drug in a small quantity, multiple proceeds of crime offences, knowingly directing the activities of a criminal group, participating in a criminal group to contribute to criminal activity, handling an explosive or precursor without an authorising licence, possessing an unauthorised pistol, possessing an unauthorised firearm, and not keeping a firearm safely.

Both men were refused bail in Bail Division Court 2 on Thursday 19 March 2026 and are due to appear before Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday 13 May 2026.