Called in by elders, 250 police swoop on Redfern's dealers: [1 All-round Country Edition]
John Stapleton, Drew Warne-Smith. Weekend Australian; Canberra, A.C.T. [Canberra, A.C.T] 31 July 2004: 3.
Abstract
It was the first operational phase of Strike Force Allunga, formed in January after Aboriginal elders asked for help to rid the neighbourhood of heroin.
"The elders have asked for a strong police presence to remove drug dealers. We have many decent Aboriginal and other families living around here who are concerned about their kids," he said.
Tensions between some local Aborigines and police have been high since February's violent riot after the death of Thomas "TJ" Hickey. Gail Hickey, TJ's mother, blamed police for chasing him and causing him to crash his bicycle, which sparked the riot.
SYDNEY'S derelict drug hot-spot the Block was stormed by more than 250 police yesterday in a massive attempt to wipe out heroin in one of the city's major markets.
With the support of Redfern's Aboriginal elders, and after months of undercover work, the operation resulted in 34 arrests on drug and related charges.
Five drug houses were raided, with police pulling down doors and blanketing the troubled 1970s housing development.
"I am confident there will be less heroin available by Christmas than there has ever been on the Block," Redfern police boss Dennis Smith said, promising to continue the crackdown.
It was the first operational phase of Strike Force Allunga, formed in January after Aboriginal elders asked for help to rid the neighbourhood of heroin.
Superintendent Smith said the raids had been aimed at heroin pushers and not users.
"The elders have asked for a strong police presence to remove drug dealers. We have many decent Aboriginal and other families living around here who are concerned about their kids," he said.
Tensions between some local Aborigines and police have been high since February's violent riot after the death of Thomas "TJ" Hickey. Gail Hickey, TJ's mother, blamed police for chasing him and causing him to crash his bicycle, which sparked the riot.
Ms Hickey watched yesterday's raids in silence with a group of family and friends.
"I don't want to talk, not about this," she said. "I don't like it, but it's not right."
But the head of the Aboriginal Housing Co-op Mick Mundine said the raids were "a blessing in disguise".
"It is not surprising," he said. "The community itself does not tolerate drugs. People knew it was coming. Enough is enough."
On many street corners, there was also resentment as the young and the elderly alike were frisked and questioned.
Police were called "dogs" and regularly taunted with claims they should raid other Sydney heroin hot-spots, and not just target black people.
One local, Wally Carr, said unless the drug market was dried up by offering rehabilitation to local addicts, new dealers would flock to replace those locked up yesterday.
"If there were no junkies to sell it to, the blokes would not be there selling heroin, and police wouldn't need to do the raids," Mr Carr said.
There were also many surreal scenes with music blaring from houses while sniffer dogs barked and residents peered out of windows at the passing parade of police.
One house had its front grill pulled off by chains attached to a police vehicle as neighbours looked on sullenly.
The six-month operation preceding the raids involved undercover police attempting to buy drugs from local dealers.
According to police, they were successful almost 100 per cent of the time.
Police also distributed information explaining to residents why the raids were planned.
Most of those arrested are expected to remain in police custody over the weekend and face court on Monday. The five alleged drug houses are likely to be bricked up, police said.
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