LAWYERS for the men accused of taking part in a Tamworth cannabis supply ring should now all be on the same page.
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Judge Jeffery McLennan ordered a fact sheet that laid out each person's alleged role in the ring and their relationships to each other, in Tamworth District Court on Monday.
"It would be helpful if the facts in relation to each of these offenders could be produced in one document so all of them can see what's alleged against each other, which they are entitled to when making submissions about character and so forth," Mr McLennan said.
"Hopefully everyone will find that useful. If anyone wants to say anything about what's being alleged, then everyone should be in the same relative position."
The five men - Van Hieu Vu, Quang Thang Bui, Dean Farrant, Brett Allan, Paul Allan and Noel Allan - were charged by undercover police sting Strike Force Boikanumba in February last year.
Four lawyers sat at the bar table in relation to the matters, from public defender Stuart Bouveng to Ben Curnow, Bruce Donnelly and Garry Johnston.
DPP solicitor Andrew Baker was quick to supply the defence lawyers in the case with a fact sheet he had prepared earlier, which outlines the alleged roles of all of the men involved.
The overview would hopefully be helpful in the case, Mr McLennan said.
"Those facts are only the ones admissible against each accused that will be considered by me," he said.
Vu and Bui have already pleaded guilty to cannabis supply charges in Tamworth Local Court, Vu to a commercial quantity and Bui to an indictable amount.
Farrant, 46, has pleaded guilty in the local court last year to the supply of more than 20kg of cannabis, having more than an indictable quantity of methamphetamine and knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime.
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A report from a psychologist, crucial to Farrant's case, is still in the pipeline, the court heard.
Strike Force Boikanumba saw raids on homes in Quipolly, Caroona, Westdale and Oxley Vale, and several arrested in Tamworth and Freeman's Waterhole near the Central Coast.
Co-accused Paul Allan was arrested with Farrant by police. He has pleaded guilty to supplying more than an indictable quantity of cannabis and has made an admission of guilt for knowingly participating in a criminal group on a Form 1. Noel Allan has pleaded guilty to possession of a prohibited drug.
Brett Allan pleaded guilty to supplying more than an indictable quantity of cannabis and is yet to enter pleas to charges of possessing a prohibited drug and dealing with the proceeds of crime.
The men have been adjourned for sentence in mid-August, with Farrant to remain in custody, while those on bail - Bui, Vu, Noel Allan, Brett Allan and Paul Allan - will remain in the community.
Mr McLennan ordered a Vietnamese interpreter be present on the adjournment date to assist in the translation in the cases of Bui and Vu.
Madeline Link
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
