FOURTEEN people have now been arrested as part of Tamworth 'ice castle' police investigation with detectives deployed across the state to search for other suspects.
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Tamworth's Matthew Robert Lee and Peter Trompa as well as Fairfrield's Suri Samantha Phoumindr all fronted court on drug or firearm charges on Wednesday after their arrests the day before.
And another man - the fourteenth to be taken into custody as part of Strike Force Radius - was still being questioned by detectives on the Central Coast on Wednesday night.
"Police from Strike Force Radius are currently on the ground in Dubbo, the Central Coast, Tamworth and Sydney arresting those people alleged to be part of this drug and firearm supply investigation," Oxley Detective Acting Inspector Jason Darcy said.
"There are more arrests to come."
Trompa won't be able to attend to his family responsibilities after magistrate Julie Soars ordered he remain behind bars.
Trompa pleaded not guilty to a charge of conspiracy to supply a firearm to a person unauthorised to possess it in Tamworth Local Court on Wednesday.
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Legal Aid solicitor Marcus Dyason told the court his client was hospitalised due to a panic attack the night before and that prison would exacerbate Trompa's health condition.
"It's a conspiracy, there's no evidence he was ever in possession of the firearm or if it existed," Mr Dyason said.
Ms Soars said it was unfortunate his family would be left unsupported but it was a "fact of life" when people go into custody.
"In those circumstances I refuse him bail with cause not being made out," she said.
Lee is facing charges of supplying more than an indictable quantity of drugs and participating in a criminal group and was denied bail in Dubbo. He will remain behind bars until later this month.
Phoumindr faces life behind bars accused of supplying more than a large commercial quantity of drugs. She was refused bail in Sydney on five charges and will face court again in July.
Police have been ordered to compile briefs of evidence into the cases.
Last week in Tamworth, 10 people were arrested on more than 100 charges including commercial drug supply.
Stephen Ross Hanshaw is alleged to be one of the ringleaders in the "ice castle business" which was allegedly supplying drugs out of his Petra Avenue housing commission unit.
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.
Breanna Chillingworth
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
