A man has been charged following a drug supply investigation, as well as an alleged pursuit near Maitland today where an officer was injured.
About 11.40am (Wednesday 6 March 2024), officers attached to Hunter Region Enforcement Squad (RES) attempted to stop a BMW sedan on Lawes Street, Maitland, as part of the ongoing drug supply investigation.
As police approached the BMW, the driver allegedly reversed and collided with a NSW Police officer before fleeing the scene.
The male officer was assessed at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to Maitland Hospital for the treatment of a leg injury.
The BMW was sighted by Port Stephens-Hunter Police in Chisholm a short time later, and a pursuit was initiated.
Road spikes were deployed on Harvest Boulevard, Chisholm, and the vehicle came to a stop on Raymond Terrace Road where the driver allegedly fled into nearby bushland.
Following a search of the area, police located the 40-year-old man, and following a short struggle in which a taser was deployed, he was arrested.
The man was taken to Maitland Police Station where he was charged with police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously, assault police officer in execution of duty, use offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention, drive motor vehicle during disqualification period, knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, deal with property proceeds of crime, possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit, possess unauthorised pistol, and three counts of possess prohibited drug.
He was also charged with more than 50 drug supply charges including:
Two counts of supply prohibited drug – large commercial quantity,
Two counts of supply prohibited drug – commercial quantity,
15 counts of supply prohibited drug – indictable quantity,
30 counts of supply prohibited drug, and
Two counts of supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis.
He was refused bail to appear before Maitland Local Court tomorrow (Thursday 7 March 2024).