Strike Force Delaney: Travis James Wilson charged with supplying methylamphetamine in Tamworth, granted bail in Tamworth court

Travis James Wilson is now facing seven extra charges, accused of supplying 31.5g of methylamphetamine in less than a month in the Tamworth area.

The 25-year-old appeared in Tamworth Local Court for a hearing after denying he supplied a Uberti revolver in June, last year, to co-accused Benjamin Woodard, who was allegedly unauthorised to possess it at Woolomin.

But the hearing was abandoned after magistrate Julie Soars was told detectives from Strike Force Delaney – a major police operation investigating an alleged drug ring in the Tamworth area – had laid fresh charges against the accused.

He is accused of four counts of knowingly taking part in the supply of 7g of methylamphetamine in East Tamworth, Woolomin and Nemingha; one count of supplying 3.5g; one charge of knowingly taking part in the supply of 31.5g of the same drug, as well as supplying it on an ongoing basis between June and July, 2017.

Wilson was not required to enter pleas, which have been referred to the DPP to prosecute and could see them head to trial or sentence in the district court.

Solicitors for Wilson lodged a fresh bid for bail, arguing it was a weak case based on text messages and their client had already been in custody since his arrest in November, and had strong ties to Tamworth.

They argued the delay in getting the matter to trial – which is not expected before March, 2018 – and argued unacceptable bail risks could be mitigated.

Prosecutors agreed to bail, with Ms Soars ordering Wilson to live in West Tamworth, report three times-a-week to police and must not contact his co-accused or approach any international departure point.

Strike Force Delaney was set-up in early-2017 to investigate the supply of prohibited drug, in particular ice, in the rodeo and equine areas in the Tamworth district.

Several men and two women have been charged with drug supply, firearms offences and dealing with proceeds of crime offences.

Alleged ringleader Ben Woodard, 32, is accused of dealing in more than $200,000 in cash that Oxley detectives allege is the proceeds of crime, and supplying more than 1.1kg of the drug ice – a charge that carries a maximum of life behind bars.

The secret strike force unfolded in September, last year, when police allege Woodard had more than $30,000 in cash as well as a quantity of ice when he was intercepted near Newcastle.

On the same day, police discovered cash, drugs, phones, sim cards, a motorbike as well as financial records in raids in Woolomin and Tamworth.

The accused, including Woodard, who remains in custody, will return to court later this month.