ANOTHER man has fronted court on drug supply charges as new details emerge about a secret operation to bring down alleged dealers in the rodeo and equine circuits.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The Leader can reveal Strike Force Delaney was instigated in February after a tip-off to police during the Tamworth Country Music Festival about alleged supplies of the drug ice in the rodeo circuits.
From there, the net widened as investigators allegedly uncovered a much larger trail of supplies spanning the Tamworth district and Western NSW.
“Strike Force Delaney was set-up in response to community information about the supply of prohibited drug, in particular ice, in the rodeo and equine areas in the Tamworth district,” Oxley Detective Acting Inspector Jason Darcy told The Leader.
“Police received information from the public, and following an eight month investigation, we have made a number of arrests and charged several men with serious drug supply and dealing with proceeds offences.”
Strike Force Delaney was set-up in response to community information about the supply of prohibited drug, in particular ice, in the rodeo and equine areas in the Tamworth district.
- Oxley Detective Acting Inspector Jason Darcy
It comes as another man fronted court on Wednesday charged with knowingly taking part in the supply of more than 150g of methylamphetamine – something police claim has an estimated street value of $150,000.
“The information police gathered saw the investigation widened beyond the Tamworth district,” Detective Darcy said.
“There is no place for drug supply in our community, whether you’re part of a rodeo circuit, a sporting club or local group, we make no apologies for disrupting the supply of drugs.
“We will target anyone involved in illegal activity and charge and put them before the courts.
There is no place for drug supply in our community, whether you’re part of a rodeo circuit, a sporting club or local group, we make no apologies for disrupting the supply of drugs.
- Oxley Detective Acting Inspector Jason Darcy
“I can say that there are further arrests and charges to come as part of Strike Force Delaney.
“We have seized a significant amount of drugs and cash and what we allege is the proceeds of crime.”
Fomer bullrider Jordan Lane-Robb has been charged with drug supply offences in Tamworth, along with Woolomin’s Ben Woodard, Tamworth’s Jason Luke Ritchie and Sydney’s Leigh Mitchell Weyman.
Tyler Jones remains on conditional bail after he was intercepted with what police allege is 31 times the indictable quantity of ice.
Jones, 22, was arrested on July 11 near Nundle after he was intercepted by Nundle police.
According to court documents, officers spoke with Jones and searched the car and him and allegedly located drugs, some of which were secreted in underwear, police allege.
He remains on conditional bail to live under house arrest on the outskirts of Tamworth.
Jones appeared in Tamworth Local Court on Wednesday but is yet to enter pleas to supply more than an indictable quantity of drugs or possessing a prohibited drug.
The court heard the full brief of evidence had been served, including a forensic analysis certificate of the drug which was provided this week.
Jones’ Legal Aid solicitor Lucy Maranga consented to the Crown’s application for an adjournment, adding “there is room for negotiations”.
Magistrate Roger Prowse continued Jones’ bail and ordered him to return to court next month.
Detective Darcy said the investigation showed police were making a mark on drug supplies, but urged the community to speak up.
“We would appeal for anyone with information on the supply of drugs or who witnesses suspicious activity to please contact police and we will act on it,” he said.
“Information from the community is crucial to the investigations of police.”
Breanna Chillingworth
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
