SEVERAL co-accused at the centre of an alleged drug ring in Armidale have fronted court but are yet to enter pleas to a raft of charges.
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Shannon Wylie, 22, who police claim is one of the ringleaders of the group remains behind bars facing 25 separate drug charges and five for the sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl.
Wylie is accused of knowingly directing a criminal group and and supplying 1500 pills of the drug MDMA on one occasion.
His brother, Sterling Wylie, who remains on conditional bail, is charged with six counts of drug supply and one for knowingly participating in a criminal group.
The 25-year-old is accused of selling a total of 185.43 grams of methylamphetamine and 8.4 grams of MDMA on separate occasions.
The accused were arrested as part of Strike Force Janian which saw police storm three properties in Armidale on December 21 in one of the district’s largest ever investigations.
One of those homes belonged to the only female in the group of five, co-accused Alice Snyder, who will spend her 25th birthday at the end of the month on strict bail conditions.
Snyder’s solicitor Emalie Hurcum requested a three-day hiatus on her client’s reporting conditions on Wednesday to talk to another solicitor in Sydney.
The change was granted by magistrate Michael Holmes in Armidale Local Court on Wednesday.
“Bail is continued but varied as sought – after that variations she’s back on very strict conditions and you know the reason why,” he said.
Police allege between November and December, Armidale co-accused James Faulkner supplied 1829.44 grams of MDMA on three or more occasions.
Faulkner, 28, is accused of negotiating the supply of an unregistered .22 calibre pistol at the end of September last year.
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He faces court on a string of other drug supply charges for cocaine, MDA, MDMA and cannabis.
Defence solicitor Matt Lowry said Faulkner is being held in custody at Shortland Correctional Centre.
“I have my instructions to adjourn for a brief,” he said.
Shannon Wylie and Faulkner made no application for bail on Wednesday.
No pleas were entered by any of the accused at Armidale Local Court on Wednesday and each of the four will face court again in February and March.
While New England Police District raided the Schaefer and Kennedy Street homes, as well as another in Uralla, and one business, officers in Coffs Harbour stormed at least eight houses and one storage unit.
A 52-year-old Uralla man arrested with the others is charged with illicit drug supply and two counts of dealing with proceeds of crime but is yet to face court.
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.
