Craig Leigh O’Brien, Shane O’Brien and Bradley James O’Connor were arrested by detectives attached to Strike Force Mewburn after an operation to bring down an alleged drug-supply ring unfolded in Tamworth in March, 2015. 

All three men fronted Tamworth Local Court last week and waived their right to a committal hearing, opting instead to head straight to trial on a series of drug charges.

O’Connor is accused of supplying amphetamine and methylamphetamine in late 2014 and early 2015 in Tamworth, and also allegedly dealt with the proceeds of crime.

Craig O’Brien is accused of supplying methylamphetamine between December, 2014 and January, 2015, while brother Shane O’Brien, also 52, is alleged to have supplied amphetamine and methylamphetamine in 2014, at Westdale.

A solicitor for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) said the crown was proceeding on all charges against the three men.

“I tender a signed waiver, an index and crown case statements,” she told the court, adding there was a very lengthy brief against the accused men.

Acting Magistrate Mal MacPherson said a date for trial will be set after a callover is held in Sydney in February.

“Each of you are committed for trial to the district court,” he said.

“Bail is to continue.”

Alleged ringleader and former Rebels Tamworth chapter president, Brent Murray, remains in custody and chose not to appear via video link when his case was briefly mentioned.

He’s facing a string of charges and the court heard representations had been made to the DPP, which needed to be considered.

Murray is yet to make an application for bail and it was formally refused.

Co-accused Gregory McBride also appeared in court and was successful in having his bail conditions relaxed, despite opposition from the DPP.

The DPP solicitor argued the offences were allegedly committed in the home that McBride shared with his partner, and had concerns on the risk of further offending.

“He’s facing some very serious charges,” she told the court, pointing to charges of commercial drug supply.

“It’s a very strong case.”

“Absolutely strong case,” Mr MacPherson said, referring to the facts he read on making the original bail determination.

“I don’t disagree there should be some restrictions.”

Mr MacPherson granted the bail variation but put restrictions on the conditions.

The court heard a report needed to be prepared for the Crown prosecutor to consider before the case against McBride returns to court in February.