In a series of vehicle stops along the Newell Highway, NSW Police have intercepted over $3.7 million worth of illegal goods, including cannabis, tobacco, and proceeds from criminal activities.

On Monday, 17 June, officers attached to Dubbo Highway Patrol stopped a Renault van on the Newell Highway at Tooraweenah.

A thorough search of the vehicle revealed a substantial haul of 66,110 illegal cigarettes and eight kilograms of illicit tobacco, alongside $30,620 in cash, suspected to be proceeds from illegal sales.

The driver, a 40-year-old man from Queensland, was charged and will appear in Gilgandra Local Court in August.

Just two days later, on Wednesday, 19 June, a Pantech truck was stopped by police on the Newell Highway near Coonabarabran. One of the occupants attempted to flee into nearby bushland, but was swiftly apprehended.

Inside the truck, officers discovered 901 cannabis plants, valued at approximately $991,000.

Two men, both aged 54 from Queensland, were arrested and charged with possessing a commercial quantity of prohibited plants.

They were denied bail and will face Coonabarabran Local Court.

Additionally, the men were issued penalty notices for not wearing seatbelts.

In another significant operation, on Friday, 21 June, a Pantech truck was stopped on the Newell Highway in Dubbo.

The search uncovered 183 boxes filled with illegal tobacco and vape products, including 1,686,480 cigarettes and 1550 vapes, which are believed to have a street value worth over $2.5 million.

The driver, a 61-year-old man from Queensland, was arrested and charged with multiple offences, including dealing with property suspected to be proceeds of crime.

He was refused bail and appeared in Dubbo Local Court on Friday, 22 June.

Additionally, there have been further seizures of cash and cannabis from vehicles travelling through southern areas of the state, including Narrandera, Temora and Albury.

IMAGES: Dubbo Highway Patrol arrested two men in Coonabarabran on Wednesday, 19 June, after the pair were allegedly found to be carrying a commercial quantity of cannabis onboard their rental truck. Photos courtesy NSW Police.