Police have conducted a two-day high-visibility operation proactively disrupting crime and targeting alleged offenders in the Western Region this week.

From Tuesday 26 November 2024 to Wednesday 27 November 2024, Operation Surge saw police officers attached to Chifley Police District saturate the streets of Bathurst, Lithgow, and Cowra targeting drug, property, and firearm related offences.

Throughout the operation, the local police were assisted by specialist officers from the Public Order and Riot Squad, Western Region Operational Support Group and Regional Enforcement Squad, Rescue and Bomb Disposal Unit, Chifley Highway Patrol, Chifley Rural Crime Prevention Team and Correctives NSW, and Special Operations Group K9 Unit.

About 9.50am on Tuesday 26 November 2024, police executed a search warrant at a home on Kanangra Street, Cowra. During the search, officers seized 27 cannabis plants, a sophisticated indoor hydroponic cannabis set up, knuckle dusters and ammunition. A 31-year-old man was arrested at the scene and taken to Cowra Police Station. He was charged with cultivate prohibited plant more than small and less than or equal to indictable quantity, supply prohibited drug more than small and less than or equal to indictable quantity, possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit, and possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority. He was granted conditional bail to appear before Cowra Local Court on Wednesday 29 January 2024.