THE ALLEGED ringleader of a party drug supply ring that spanned Tamworth and Armidale has had a number of charges committed to the district court.
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Corey Cutmore, 23, initially faced 14 charges including supplying a large commercial quantity of drugs.
At least 10 of the charges against Cutmore were withdrawn by Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) solicitor Ellen Tiedman last week.
"I can indicate sequences one and three are being committed for sentence to the district court, seven and eight are also being committed to the district court placed on a Form One [back-up charge] once they are there," she said.
Cutmore remains in custody at Long Bay Hospital, but did not appear in Tamworth Local Court.
The facts in the case are still under negotiations between the DPP and Cutmore's defence lawyer, magistrate Mal MacPherson said.
"I also note the facts are yet to be agreed, there is a document being prepared at the moment but the parties are content to commit the matter and have the facts agreed once the matter has been committed," he said.
Cutmore was one of five people, including four men from Tamworth, arrested in coordinated secret police sting across Muswellbrook and Tamworth.
Strike Force Heyward was established by Oxley Police District detectives to investigate the supply of prohibited drugs in the region.
Cutmore will face the district court for arraignment on October 19, bail was not applied for and was formally refused.
Cutmore will be arraigned on two charges including the supply of more than a large commercial quantity of prohibited drugs; the supply of less than an indictable quantity of prohibited drugs.
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The back-up charges are for supplying prohibited drugs to a person under 16 and supplying less than a small quantity of prohibited drugs.
Co-accused Kosta Sakellariou also appeared in court last week and entered pleas of guilty to supplying more than an indictable quantity of cannabis and organising drugs at a premises which exposes a child on a back-up charge.
He pleaded not guilty to more than a commercial quantity of prohibited drugs and the other three charges against him were withdrawn.
The matters were committed to Tamworth District Court for arraignment in October.
Sakellariou's defence solicitor Patricia Simpson asked that her client be assessed for Balund-a, a residential diversionary program for young male offenders.
Bail was not applied for and was formally refused.
Madeline Link
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
