In October this year, detectives attached to Orana Mid-Western Police District began an investigation into reports of alleged fraudulent claims for NSW government disaster relief, designed to help people affected by COVID-19 and the mouse plague.

During the investigation, detectives identified that between August and October 2021 a woman allegedly lodged a number of fraudulent payment applications to the value of $65,000.

Following inquiries, officers executed a search warrant at a home on Thompson Street, Dubbo, about 12pm on Wednesday, October 13.

Officers located and seized documentation, electronic devices, and buprenorphine strips.

The woman was arrested at the home and taken to Dubbo Police Station, where she was charged with dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception and possess prohibited drug.

Following further inquiries, the woman was charged with an additional nine counts of dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception on October 29.

She has been refused bail to appear at Dubbo Local Court on Wednesday.

The Orange co-ordination centre is part of a $100m package which the state government is currently investing in food and fibre infrastructure across the state.

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