Emotions ran high in Dubbo Local Court yesterday when a man described by prosecutors as the major supplier of methamphetamine in Dubbo and two women faced multiple charges over an alleged drug trafficking syndicate.
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Brendan Lee Gray, 25, Tara Elizabeth Follett, 25, and Megan Humphries, 28, are alleged to have distributed commercial quantities of the drug for a well-organised criminal organisation working between Sydney, Wellington and Dubbo.
As the trio faced Magistrate Howard Hamilton in Dubbo, six associates - one as young as 14 - faced court in Sydney on charges including supplying a prohibited drug, supplying a quantity of a prohibited drug, and participating in criminal groups.
One 41-year-old accused was described in court as an associate ofthe Bandidos outlaw motorcycle gang. The six are due to appear in Sydney courts separately over the next few weeks.
All have been refused bail, except the 14-year-old boy and a 30-year-old Sydney woman.
Gray, Follett and Humphries were refused bail by Magistrate Hamilton and are to reappear in Dubbo Local Court on August 4.
Gray has been charged with 10 drug offences, Follett and Humphries each face six charges.
The public gallery at Dubbo courthouse was packed and supporters appeared bewildered and upset as Gray, Follett and Humphries were led into the dock in handcuffs during separate appearances.
The court heard Gray lived with his girlfriend’s parents in Dubbo and he was willing to hand over the $600 in his bank account to gain bail. His mother, from Coonamble, was prepared to deposit $10,000 surety and could obtain more money if required.
When bail was refused Gray leaned back in the dock, raised his eyes to the ceiling and sighed. He looked over at supporters as he left the dock.
Follett seemed distressed and shocked as the Aboriginal Legal Service attempted to obtain bail. The court heard Follett was prepared to live with her parents at Wellington, report daily to police and have no contact the co-accused.
Her sister was prepared to offer $500 surety. When bail was refused Follett appeared disorientated as she was led away.
Humphries’ solicitor challenged the prosecution case and allegations of his client’s involvement in the supply of drugs at McDonald’s. He said Humphries had no knowledge of a bag of crystal substance found secreted in the home she shared with a co-accused.
Humphries fought back tears throughout her court appearance and when bail was refused she broke down and sobbed, distressed to be separated from her family.
The Sydney and Dubbo arrests follow investigations by strike forces from the Gangs Squad and Orana Local Area Command.
The simultaneous action involved controlled drug operations and 46,000 telephone and text message intercepts.
Search warrants were executed at homes in Dubbo and Sydney. Police located and seized cash, a firearms and firearm parts, prohibited drugs and drug related paraphernalia.
