SEVERAL men and women arrested as part of a police sting that targeted an alleged drug ring have fronted court for the first time.
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Rikki May Lea Stranlund is alleged to be one of the principal suppliers in the alleged supply chain and faces up to 20 years if found guilty of her charges.
She's accused of two counts of supplying drugs on an ongoing basis, participating in a criminal group and possessing drugs.
Strike Force Munderrah detectives, a covert police operation by Oxley detectives, alleges Peter Joseph Lennan was the head of the criminal group and directed and coordinated his partner, Stranlund, and associates in dealing methylamphetamine.
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Police allege the case against Stranlund and Lennan involved multiple drug transactions in August and September where methylamphetamine was sourced from the Upper Hunter area to return to Gunnedah to on-sell.
Lennan remains behind bars after being refused bail on a raft of charges.
Sharon Maree Mills is facing two charges of supplying prohibited drugs and two counts of participating in a criminal group and contributing to criminal activity.
Cameron Jeffrey Turnbull and Daniel John Wise are each charged with participating in the criminal group.
Peter Barnes is facing seven drug supply and participate in criminal group charges. All remain on conditional bail.
Ricky Ward Finlay, 47, remains bail refused, and is charged with participating in a criminal group by contributing to criminal activity and steal property as clerk or servant. He's accused of stealing fuel from a property that was on-sold to others in the alleged criminal ring.
The court was told the DPP has elected in all of the matters, meaning they weren't required to enter pleas, but the charges could be transferred to the district court for trial or sentence.
Magistrate George Breton ordered police to compile briefs of evidence into all of the charges and serve it on the defence solicitors before the case returns to court in June.
Eight men and two women have now been charged by police as part of Strike Force Munderah. It was a six-month secret operation by Oxley detectives that unfolded on February 28 with a raid on a Baker Street, Gunnedah home.
It was set-up by police to home in on those behind the supply of drugs and firearms in the Gunnedah area.
Breanna Chillingworth
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
