A new police commander has been named for the Southern Region.

 

NSW Deputy Commissioner, Gary Worboys has formally announced that Assistant commissioner, Joe Cassar started in the region's top job at the beginning of the month.

 

Mr Cassar is no stranger to Gouburn, joining the Police Force in 1987 and then being stationed in the city as a general duties officer.

 

The new commander is a person of wide experience, achieving his detective designation in 1992 and then working in Homicide, Drugs and Child Abuse squads.

 

In 2005, Assistant Commissioner Cassar was promoted to Inspector at the Eastern Beaches Local area command.

 

He has also spent time in Cabramatta, the Shoalhaven and Wollongong areas and joined the Youth Command in 2017.

 

Forensic testing has confirmed that a body found in a burnt-out vehicle near Crookwell, is that was that of missing Unanderra man, Gary Pearce.

 

Police inquiries began after Mr Pearce was reported missing in late April.

 

On Sunday, June 9th, a man's body was found in a burnt out car in bush-land off the Boorowa road, about 35 kilometres from Crookwell.

 

It is believed the vehicle left the roadway, travelled through a paddock, rolled onto its roof and hit a tree before catching fire.

 

Last Thursday following inquiries, the body was identified as that of 21 year old Gary Pearce.

More arrests have been made in connection with an investigation into drug supply on the Southern Tablelands and the South Coast.

 

The latest charges are connected with a vehicle intercepted at Bungendore where police seized 34 grams of methylamphetamine, MDMA tablets, 28 grams of cannabis and cash.

 

Police are alleging that the occupants of the vehicle, a 35 year old man and 30 year old woman were intending to supply the prohibited substances.

 

After they were arrested and taken to Goulburn police station, further inquiries led to a search warrant being executed at a home in Braidwood.

 

Police took into custody items believed to have been either stolen or the proceeds of crime, including power tools, vehicle rims, golf clubs and electronic devices.

 

A 35 year old Braidwood man is charged with 16 offences relating to drugs, dealing with proceeds of crime, breach of bail and traffic offences.

 

A 30 year old Braidwood woman faces seven offences relating to drugs and dealing with the proce