A COUPLE has fronted court on more than 40 charges after a secret strike force had been watching them for months.
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Jake Annis-Brown is accused of 38 drug-related charges and is set to remain behind bars until at least December, while his partner Cheyenne Thompson, 27, also remains in custody.
The pair appeared in Inverell Local Court on Friday but made no application for release, after their arrests in Warialda on Thursday.
Magistrate Jacqueline Trad formally refused bail for the pair, who were not required to enter pleas to their charges.
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Thompson will return to court in Inverell next month.
The pair are the first to be arrested by detectives from a secret operation, code-named Strike Force Midwest.
The operation was launched by Inverell detectives to home in on drug supply across the Inverell and Warialda areas and unfolded with the raid and two arrests in Warialda on Thursday morning.
Detectives allege they uncovered ice and steroids as well as other goods when they searched a Long Street home in Warialda with the dog squad.
Annis-Brown, 32, faces charges including supplying drugs; dealing with the proceeds of crime; goods in custody; participating in a criminal group; and supplying on an ongoing basis - a charge that carries a maximum penalty of 20 years' imprisonment, if found guilty.
Thompson is accused of six counts of taking part in drug supply of various amounts.
After their arrests, police said investigations into the raid were continuing.
"During the search warrant, police seized an amount of prohibited drugs, cash, electronic devices, and suspected stolen property," New England Detective Acting Inspector Matt Crotty said.
"Investigations by Strike Force Midwest have been ongoing since the beginning of this year and police expect to make several arrests."