A range of prohibited drugs, weapons and stolen property across the city and Junee have been seized by the Riverina Police District this week.
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In July 2019, Strike Force Cluck was established by the Southern Region Enforcement Squad to investigate the supply of prohibited drugs in the Wagga and Junee areas.
Investigators executed two search warrants on Tuesday morning at residential properties in Ashmont and Mount Austin, and then a further three search warrants that afternoon in Junee.
Wagga Police Superintendent Bob Noble said eight people have been charged as part of an investigation into an alleged drug supply operation.
"I think this sends a pretty strong message that if you're going to deal prohibited drugs, deal prohibited weapons and do the wrong thing, we'll launch these investigations and we will expend whatever resources are required," Superintendent Noble said.
"We do expect further arrests could take place ... it doesn't mean the investigation stops there.
"There were five men and three women charged with various offences, including ongoing supply of drugs, possession of prohibited weapons and also charges in relation to suspected stolen property."
The two search warrants in Wagga were conducted at a property on Bourke Street and another on Mumford Street.
"At the Wagga addresses, there was an amount of prohibited drugs seized: methamphetamine, cannabis and also a replica pistol seized," Superintended Noble said.
"The most significant quantity seized in relation to this week's search warrants was 57 grams of what police will allege is MDMA."
Superintendent Noble could not give the value of the drugs seized, however said 57 grams of MDMA would have had a "significant" street value.
Three men - aged 36, 38 and 41 years old - were arrested at the Bourke Street residence and taken to Wagga Police Station.
The 36-year-old man was charged with three counts of drug supply. He was granted bail to appear before Wagga Local Court on October 23.
The 38-year-old man was charged with four counts of drug supply, operate drug premises, possess unauthorised pistol and acquire pistol subject to Firearm Prohibition Order. He was granted bail to appear before Wagga Local Court on November 27.
The 41-year-old man was charged with 17 counts of drug supply (ongoing supply) and found on drug premises. He was granted bail to appear before Wagga Local Court on November 27.
In Junee, the warrants occurred in Marquis, Hammond and Purcy streets.
Two women, aged 25 and 37 years old, were arrested at the Marquis Street property.
The 37-year-old woman was taken to Wagga Police Station and the 25-year-old woman was ordered to appear in court at a later date.
Investigators then executed a further two search warrants in Junee, where police located and seized several items including drugs, cash, a taser, phones and a large safe.
A 56-year-old man was arrested and taken to Wagga Police Station and charged with four counts of drug supply.
The 37-year-old woman was charged with five counts of drug supply. She was granted bail to appear before Wagga Local Court on November 27.
Two further arrests were made on Wednesday of a man and a woman in Junee.
Superintendent Noble said these investigations are part of the ongoing efforts to combat drug crime in the Riverina.
"We are aware and anyone ... would know there is an issue with the use of drugs in the Riverina," he said
"It drives all sorts of other crimes types, it drives domestic violence, it drives other violent crime and we believe there's a strong nexus between drug crime and property crime.
"We will allege that there is a connection between these persons and these addresses, there is some evidence there is a level of organisation between these individuals."
