FOUR people charged in connection to an alleged drug ring remain behind bars after failing to meet bail at the weekend or being denied release by the court.
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The three men and one woman have all been transported to correctional centres after failing to secure release in bail hearings in Armidale Local Court on Friday and Saturday.
Police allege Shannon Maxwell Wylie, from Armidale, was one of the main players in the drug supply network, exposed by Strike Force Janian – setup by New England police in August, last year.
The 21-year-old is charged with 26 drug supply offences including commercial dealing and supplying on an ongoing basis as well as five counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child under 16.
He made no application for bail on Saturday and it was refused by magistrate Michael Holmes.
James Maxwell Faulkner, 27, failed in his bid for bail on Saturday. Mr Holmes found Faulker had not shown cause for release after he was charged with nine offences including commercial drug supply and knowingly direct the activities of a criminal group.
Sterling Peter Wylie, 24, was granted conditional bail but has failed to meet some of the conditions imposed by Mr Holmes. He’s charged with five drug supply-related charges and knowingly participate in a criminal group.
As part of his bail conditions, Sterling had to lodge $10,000 surety and three acceptable persons deposit $5,000 surety each to secure his release.
That had not been completed on the weekend. Similarly, Alice Mair Snyder is charged with two counts of drug supply, taking part in supply and knowingly participate in a criminal group.
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She had not met bail at the weekend under similar surety conditions to her co-accused, and was flown to Sydney to a women’s correctional centre. All five will reappear in Armidale court in January.
New England police said following Friday’s four raids on three homes and a business, “a significant sum of money” had been seized along with what police allege is 250 MDMA pills, or ecstasy, 50g of what they allege is MDMA powder and approximately 10g of cocaine.
New England Detective Sergeant Matt Crotty told The Leader “further arrests are expected” after the massive policing operation came to a head with rolling raids on Friday.
“This was a major operation that transcended policing borders and saw more than one police district working cooperatively and collaboratively together,” he said.
“This is a warning to those that engage in this type of criminal activity, it doesn’t matter if criminal cross policing districts, we will work together to investigate, disrupt and ultimately dismantle organised crime.”
Breanna Chillingworth
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
