The teenager, who cannot be named because of his age, did not appear in Tamworth Children’s Court yesterday where his solicitor admitted to the charge.

The boy was charged following a co-ordinated swoop by detectives in early February after an eight-month investigation, codenamed Strike Force Codes. 

The secretive investigation was set up in May last year by detectives from the Oxley Command to home in on those behind the illegal supply of ice in the Gunnedah area.

He was one of four people arrested in an early-morning crackdown by police who raided two homes in Hopedale Ave, Gunnedah, on February 3.

As part of the evidence, detectives allege the 15-year-old was part of drug ring supplying ice to several customers in Gunnedah.

The boy, who was granted bail in February to remain in the far west of the state, is facing charges of supplying less than an indictable quantity of ice and supplying on an ongoing basis.

During a brief mention in court yesterday morning, solicitor Yvonne Phillipos said her client admitted to the first charge of supply, but she was “wishing to enter negotiations” on the second count – a charge that carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for adults if convicted.

The boy is also facing allegations he was in possession of $12,000 in cash when he was stopped by police on February 17.

He was arrested on the Kamilaroi Highway north of Gunnedah after police allegedly discovered the cash – which they believe is the proceeds of crime – inside the car in which he was travelling.

Yesterday, he denied the charges of possessing the suspected proceeds of crime and goods in personal custody suspected of being stolen.

Ms Phillipos formally entered pleas of not guilty to both charges on behalf of her client, with the case set down for hearing later this year.

Magistrate Michael Holmes adjourned the case, with the boy’s bail to continue. The bail conditions prohibit him from contacting co-accused or entering the town of Gunnedah.

Meanwhile, the alleged ringleaders of the drug ring, Mark Lee Wortley and Helen Eason, did not appear via videolink or apply for bail when their cases were mentioned briefly yesterday.

The pair are charged with a combined 28 offences, including procuring a minor to supply a drug, dealing ice and exposing illegal drugs to children.

Investigators have been granted extra time to compile the brief of evidence against the pair, as well as co-accused Howard Adams, before the case heads back to court in May.

“I expect the balance of the brief to be served by that date, no later,” Mr Holmes said.

All three remain behind bars.