Barraba drug dealer Glenn Mervyn Hanrahan pleads guilty to three charges, others dropped

Glenn Mervyn Hanrahan admitted to the supply of a large commercial quantity of drugs, and back up charges of dealing more than an indictable quantity of drugs and knowingly dealing with proceeds of crime, in Tamworth Local Court on Wednesday.

It took at least 30 minutes for the Barraba man to put on a full suit of personal protective equipment in prison amidst a COVID-19 outbreak on the mid-north coast, where he is being held.

Defence solicitor Garry Johnston handed up a set of unsigned agreed facts that he had been unable to get to his client due to pandemic restrictions.

"We're still trying," he said.

"You can see what Mr Hanrahan is wearing, it's a very tough custodial environment at the moment."

Hanrahan's matters will now be escalated to the district court after 15 of the 18 charges against him were dropped.

He was arrested alongside co-accused John Barry Carruthers and Timothy John Brooks.

Strike Force Kunderbung, a special police operation set up to investigate the alleged movement of ice from the Central Coast to Tamworth, Manilla and Barraba, detected the trio.

Police allege they uncovered $77,500 cash in a Fitzroy Street home in Barraba during a raid, where Hanrahan was then arrested.

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Hanrahan faces the potential of life behind bars for the charge of large commercial ice supply.

Magistrate Julie Soars said she understood the delays in getting information to Hanrahan given the restrictions put on prisoners.

"Well it's probably not surprising in a COVID environment," she said.

"Sir, your matter has been committed for sentence to the district court, it will be in for the first mention on November 22 for arraignment or sentence mention.

"I withdraw the balance of sequences and that completes your matter for today."

Hanrahan's matter will return to Tamworth District Court for committal for sentence in mid-November.

Bail was not applied for and it was formally refused.

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