A 65-year-old alleged drug runner and his 36-year-old female sidekick faced court today, charged by NSW Police following an investigation into commercial drug supply in the Albury region.
In June, detectives from Murray River Police District established Strike Force Billarga to investigate the commercial supply of cannabis in the Albury area.
Following extensive inquiries, strike force investigators attended a home in Albury and arrested a 52-year-old man last Thursday.
He was taken to Albury Police Station and charged with supply prohibited drug – commercial quantity, possess prohibited drug and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.
The man was refused bail and appeared in Albury Local Court, where he was formally refused bail to appear in the same court on November 3.
Following further inquiries, a 36-year-old woman and 65-year-old man were arrested at Albury Police Station about 9.30am yesterday.
The woman was charged with supply prohibited drug – commercial quantity, deal in property proceeds of crime and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.
The man was charged with two counts of supply prohibited drug – commercial quantity, deal in property proceeds of crime, knowingly direct activities of criminal group and possess prohibited drug.
Police will allege in court that the pair travelled to South Australia via the Northern Territory and Queensland to purchase large amounts of cannabis, with the intention of distributing it in the Albury area.
It’s further alleged the pair repurposed a utility vehicle and concealed more than 30kg of cannabis from South Australia within panels inside the tray. The utility vehicle was seized with the assistance of Victoria Police from a holding yard in Melbourne in August.
The pair were refused bail and are due to face Albury Local Court today.