Local police have been conducting Strike Force Esson since February, culminating in the arrest of a 42-year-old and 32-year-old at 1.30pm on Wednesday.

Inspector Peter Neville said both were charged with a number of offences including the supply of a prohibited drug on an ongoing basis and the further supply and possession of heroin.

The men were refused bail and will further appear in Port Macquarie local court.

The heroin-related arrests followed on from the recent apprehension of a number of people for the supply of the drug ‘ice’ in the west Kempsey area on August 18.

Inspector Neville said investigations into the supply of ‘ice’ would continue on the basis of information given by the community as part of the ‘Dob in a Dealer’ campaign.

“As a result of the information we’ve received from ‘Dob in a Dealer’ we expect to conduct further operations targeting drug supply in the area,” he said.

“Anyone involved in the supply of drugs or drug-related activities can expect to be the subject of these investigations.”

The Commonwealth-funded ‘Dob in a Dealer’ campaign is currently being conducted in states and territories across Australia. While members of the public are urged to report any prohibited-drug activity via Crime Stoppers, ‘Dob in a Dealer’ is targeting the manufacture, supply and use of ice (crystal methylamphetamine) in the community.

‘Dob in a Dealer’ was promoted across the Mid North Coast Local Area Command during July.

Police and Crime Stoppers conducted intensive community engagement activities at locations across the command, encouraging members of the public to report information about prohibited drugs. The information obtained is being assessed by police.

Crime Stoppers NSW CEO, Peter Price, said people who live and work within Mid North Coast Local Area Command can still report information confidentially and anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333-000 or online at www.crimestoppers.com.au.