NEW England police have uncovered almost 17kg of cannabis in two separate seizures hundreds of kilometres apart.
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Two men have been charged with drug supply offences after the discoveries were made in Bellbrook, east of Armidale, and in a massive traffic blitz near the Queensland border.
In the first operation, acting on a tip-off, police from the New England Target Action Group (TAG) went to a property on Armidale Rd at Bellbrook.
“Officers received information regarding hydroponic cultivation at the location,” New England Acting Inspector John Walkowiak told The Express.
“The property was searched with the consent of the owner.”
Officers received information regarding hydroponic cultivation at the location. The property was searched with the consent of the owner.
- New England Acting Inspector John Walkowiak
Inside, TAG officers uncovered almost 3kg of what they allege to be cannabis.
“Police located loose cannabis leaf which has been valued at a total weight of 2.75kg,” Acting Inspector Walkowiak said.
“It was a significant seizure by police and due to the total weight of the prohibited drug, it was a deemed supply matter because police will allege the quantity if more than what is deemed as personal use.”
A 44-year-old man was issued a future court attendance notice for the charges of supplying a prohibited drug and possessing a prohibited drug to front court at a later date.
It was a significant seizure by police and due to the total weight of the prohibited drug, it was a deemed supply matter because police will allege the quantity if more than what is deemed as personal use.
- New England Acting Inspector John Walkowiak
In the second seizure, TAG police and New England highway officers were deployed to Boggabilla as part of Operation Northmore – a massive traffic blitz policing the Queensland border.
New England officers stopped a rental van in Merriwa St.
After questioning the 29-year-old driver, officers searched the vehicle and discovered more than 14 kilograms of what they allege to be cannabis in vacuum sealed bags under a row of seats.
Vinh Hoang was arrested and charged with supplying prohibited drugs.
He appeared in Moree Local Court and has been refused bail to reappear in June.
As part of the three-day blitz, police charged two drivers with drink-driving and 16 drivers returned a roadside reading to drugs.
In total, 384 trucks and heavy vehicles were intercepted and officers downloaded the data from 120 speed limiters.
Seven were found to have been tampered with or were non-compliant, and more than 120 fines were issued for various offences.
“In addition to targeting dangerous drivers, our officers will continue to target those who are using our roads to transport drugs,” NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy said.
He said operations targeting drivers across the Western Region would continue because more than 20 people had been killed on country roads in the region since the start of the year.
“We will continue to target heavy vehicles and dangerous drivers in the area to ensure the safety of all road users,” Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.
“Our dedicated officers who have undertaken CATCH training continue to deliver results for the community in removing drugs off our streets.”