NEW England police have uncovered almost 17kg of cannabis in two separate seizures hundreds of kilometres apart.
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Two men have been charged with drug supply offences after the discoveries were made in Bellbrook, east of Armidale, and in a massive traffic blitz near the Queensland border.
In the first operation, acting on a tip-off, police from the New England Target Action Group (TAG) went to a property on Armidale Rd at Bellbrook.
“Officers received information regarding hydroponic cultivation at the location,” New England Acting Inspector John Walkowiak told The Express.
Officers received information regarding hydroponic cultivation at the location. The property was searched with the consent of the owner.
- New England Acting Inspector John Walkowiak
“The property was searched with the consent of the owner.”
Inside, TAG officers uncovered almost 3kg of what they allege to be cannabis.
“Police located loose cannabis leaf which has been valued at a total weight of 2.75kg,” Acting Inspector Walkowiak said.
“It was a significant seizure by police and due to the total weight of the prohibited drug, it was a deemed supply matter because police will allege the quantity if more than what is deemed as personal use.”
It was a significant seizure by police and due to the total weight of the prohibited drug, it was a deemed supply matter because police will allege the quantity if more than what is deemed as personal use.
- New England Acting Inspector John Walkowiak
A 44-year-old man was issued a future court attendance notice for the charges of supplying a prohibited drug and possessing a prohibited drug to front court at a later date.
In the second seizure, TAG police and New England highway officers were deployed to Boggabilla as part of Operation Northmore – a massive traffic blitz policing the Queensland border.
New England officers stopped a rental van in Merriwa St.
After questioning the 29-year-old driver, the officers searched the vehicle and discovered more than 14 kilograms of what they allege to be cannabis in vacuum sealed bags under a row of seats.
Vinh Hoang was arrested and charged with supplying prohibited drugs.
He appeared in Moree Local Court and has been refused bail to reappear in June.