A COURT has heard a number of men accused of involvement in an alleged cannabis supply chain in Tamworth will enter guilty pleas or settle the case before trial.
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Several of the men were arrested in a secret Oxley police operation, code-named Strike Force Boikanumba.
Paul Andrew Allan allegedly supplied more than 32kg of cannabis, as well as a quantity of methamphetamine between October and February 5.
Dean Farrant remains in custody charged with supplying more than 23kg of cannabis and an ounce of methamphetamine.
Farrant’s barrister Bruce Donnelly told Tamworth Local Court this week more time was needed after a proposed offer was considered.
“I put a whole lot of objects after seeing Mr Farrant last week,” he told the court.
DPP solicitor Ellen Tiedeman said the prosecution needed four weeks to settle the case.
“It’ll be finalised on that date,” Mr Donnelly said.
Magistrate Julie Soars granted the adjournment and ordered the case to return to court in December.
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Farrant made no application for bail and it was formally refused.
The secret sting unfolded in a series of daylight raids in Oxley Vale, Westdale, Coledale, Quipolly and Caroona on February 5.
Minutes beforehand, several police swooped in Freeman’s Waterhole, near the Central Coast, arresting Paul Allan and Farrant.
Brett Allan appeared in court and had his case adjourned, while Ms Tiedeman mentioned Paul Allan’s case on behalf of the defence, telling the court four more weeks was needed before the case was ready to proceed to committal, where pleas will be entered to determine if it goes for trial or sentence in the district court.
Paul Allan, who was refused bail in September, made no application for bail and it was formally refused.
He is charged with five offences including commercial drug supply, dealing with the proceeds of crime and participating in a criminal group.
Noel Allan appeared in court to answer his charges, flanked by family members.
His solicitor Stephen O’Reilly said there would be a plea of guilty to the first charge “subject only to resolving the facts”.
“It is a matter that is on the verge of resolving,” he told the court.
The DPP supported the adjournment application with the court told the case will proceed to the district court.
“I’m told at this stage the Crown wants it to go up,” Mr O’Reilly said.
Co-accused Van Hieu, 43, from Sydney and Quand Thang Bui, 33, from Bankstown, appeared in court for a committal, but the case was delayed.
“There is further negotiations going on,” agent solicitor George Hoddle said.
Vu had his bail continued while Bui lodged a bail variation to have his curfew deleted to allow him to leave the house without two family members.
Ms Soars said the accused was effectively on house arrest and deleted the curfew.
Breanna Chillingworth
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
