Justin Anthony Heywood pleads guilty to drug supply charges in Tamworth court | Strike Force Burtenshaw

Justin Anthony Heywood told Tamworth Local Court via video link from custody that he pleaded guilty to two counts of supplying prohibited drugs.

The offences can carry a maximum penalty of several years behind bars.

"I plead guilty to those two charges, Your Honour," Heywood said.

Two possess drug allegations - which had earlier been listed as back-up offences by the state prosecuting authority, the DPP - were dropped in court.

Defence solicitor Yvonne Phillipos told the court the document detailing the offending had been signed off on by both sides after discussions.

"It's for committal for sentence, Your Honour," she said.

She told the court the facts had been agreed with only one small issue that was "neither here nor there" which was resolved that day.

Magistrate Julie Soars committed the case to Tamworth District Court next month.

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Heywood will be formally arraigned to confirm his pleas at that time, and will be handed the date that he will find out his fate.

Ms Soars asked if a full sentencing report needed to be prepared for Heywood, but Ms Phillipos told the court a specialist medical report had been ordered already and that it should be "sufficient" for sentencing.

Heywood made no bid for release and bail was formally refused.

Heywood has remained behind bars since he was arrested last year by a special squad of Oxley police codenamed Strike Force Burtenshaw.

The targeted team was investigating drug-related and firearm offences in the Tamworth area and made about a dozen arrests.

Heywood has several co-accused who remain before the courts.

His case had been plagued by delays in Tamworth Local Court after the court was told at earlier mentions that the strike force cases were complex.

The case was adjourned.

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