“I praise the efforts of the NSW Police and Strike Force Croci in the two-day operation that has resulted in numerous arrests, and for taking methamphetamine off the streets of the Shoalhaven,” Mrs Sudmalis said. 

“Ice is a growing problem across the country, destroying families and ruining people’s lives.

“It is reassuring to know that some of this insidious drug is off our streets today.

“However we still have a long way to go and the Coalition is committed to tackling this issue with the National Ice Taskforce.

“What we can do locally to combat this problem is important and feedback from the community is essential.

“Next Wednesday I will be holding a Community Forum at the Ulladulla Civic Centre from 7pm regarding this issue and I would encourage all members of the community to come along.

“Feedback from this forum will be submitted to the National Ice Taskforce,” she said.

4.44pm Deputy Commissioner Nick Kaldas, Assistant Commissioner Gary Worboys and Region Commander, Southern Region Superintendent Joe Cassar addressed the media at Sanctuary Point this afternoon.

2.30pm: Police have released video of their drug raids in Berry.

2.20pm: Police have issued a statement about the drug raids, including where the arrests of 19 people were made. They have also confirmed five firearms were seized during the raids. 

On Tuesday, officers from Strike Force Croci with the assistance of officers from State Crime Commands Drug Squad arrested nine people in three locations:

- About 8am, police arrested two men, aged 43 and 33, at Berry Railway Station. Following their arrest a search warrant was executed at a home on Platypus Way, Blackbutt, where a quantity of drugs (ice), cash and a firearm were allegedly seized.

- About 3.15pm, police arrested two men, both aged 45, on Wallace Street, Braidwood and allegedly seized a large amount of drugs believed to be methamphetamine (ice).

- About 4.20pm, police arrested one woman, 29, and three men, aged 26, 29, and 33, in Green Valley and allegedly seized a large amount of drugs believed to be methamphetamine (ice). Following their arrest a search warrant was executed at a home on Currawong Street, Green Valley, where an amount of cash and drug paraphernalia were allegedly seized.

Early Wednesday, officers from Strike Force Croci executed 14 simultaneous search warrants on homes in the Shoalhaven area resulting in the alleged seizure of drugs, firearms, and cash, and the arrest of 10 people.

- A 32-year-old man was arrested at a home on Hillcrest Avenue, Nowra

- A 43-year-old man was arrested at a home on Leumeah Street, Sanctuary Point.

- A 42-year-old man was arrested at a home on Torridon Street, Nowra.

- A 40-year-old man and a 39-year-old man were arrested at a home on Pleasant Way, Nowra.

- A 39-year-old woman was arrested at a home on McKay Street, Nowra.

- A 40-year-old man was arrested at a home on Sanctuary Point Road, Sanctuary Point.

- A 49-year-old man was arrested at a home on Wallace Street, Nowra

- A 42-year-old man was arrested at a home on Moss Street, Nowra; and

- A 49-year-old man was arrested at a home on Pitt Street, Nowra

12.50pm  A TWO-DAY police operation in the Shoalhaven area and around Sydney has resulted in a haul of methamphetamines or ice with an estimated street value of $2 million dollars and 19 people arrested.

Strike Force Croci was established in October 2014, following concerns raised by community members at crime meetings about increased drug activity in the Sanctuary Point area.

The culmination of the eight-month operation happened on Wednesday morning with search warrants executed on 16 homes in the Shoalhaven, targeting the Sanctuary Point area.

Around 110 officers from the Shoalhaven Local Area Command and neighbouring commands undertook simultaneous raids from 7.30am.

Properties at Nerriga and Berry were also raided on Monday.

Throughout the operation three kilograms of the drug ice has been seized.

Headed by officers from the Shoalhaven Local Area Command, the operation had assistance from neighbouring areas including Lake Illawarra, Wollongong, Queanbeyan, Goulburn and the State Crime Command.

As well as drugs, firearms were also seized in the raids.

A range of charges have been laid including the ongoing supply of crystal methamphetamine.

Police, including Deputy Commissioner Nick Kaldas, Assistant Commissioner Gary Worboys and Region Commander, Southern Region Superintendent Joseph Cassar will this afternoon address the media at Sanctuary Point.

Police will this afternoon address the media following a two-day operation in the Shoalhaven area and around Sydney, during which 17 people have been arrested, firearms and large quantity of drugs seized.

Strike Force Croci was established in October 2014, following concerns raised by community members about increased drug activity in the Sanctuary Point area.

Following seven months of protracted investigations, police conducted a two-day operation, arresting 17 people, seizing a number of firearms, and raiding 16 homes in the Shoalhaven area, south west, and western Sydney.

During the operation police have seized a large quantity of drugs believed to be methylamphetamine (ICE).

The total amount of drugs seized by Strike Force Croci to date has a potential street value of over $1 million