Corey Matthew Howard, 25, has been charged with possessing marijuana after a Koongal drug raid

A young man linked to a drug raid where more than 70 kilograms of marijuana and $170,000 cash was seized has appeared in court for the first time since being charged in early December.

A young man linked to a drug raid where more than 70 kilograms of marijuana and $170,000 cash was seized has appeared in court for the first time since being charged in early December.

Corey Matthew Howard, 25, appeared in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on January 4 charged with possessing marijuana and a pipe used to smoke drugs.

His charges were laid on December 5 - the same day police raided a caravan and home at a Koongal address as part of investigations into an interstate drug business, allegedly seizing more than 77kg of marijuana, cocaine and about $170,000 in cash.

Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Kevin Mawdsley, on December 11, said investigators received information about a large amount of marijuana being brought into Queensland from Victoria and launched a three-month operation.

Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Mawdsley said police intercepted a tow truck that was carrying a caravan in North Rockhampton on December 6 about 5.40pm and allegedly found more than 77kg of marijuana.

He said 33g of cocaine was also allegedly found inside the truck.

He said police searched a nearby house on Saunders Street, Koongal, at the same time as the intercept and allegedly found about $170,000 cash and smaller amounts of marijuana.

Daniel Philip Howard, 47, from North Rockhampton and Brett John Gundry, 56, from Thornbury, Victoria, were charged in relation to the alleged offences.

Mr Howard’s charges included trafficking a dangerous drug, possessing the marijuana, and possessing proceeds of crime.

Mr Gundry’s charges included supplying a dangerous drug, possessing the marijuana, and possessing the cocaine.

Both men appeared in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on December 7 and were remanded in custody by the magistrate, with their matters adjourned to February 23, 2022.

Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Mawdsley said investigators had been looking into the men for about three months.

“We allege they were operating together as part of a trafficking syndicate,” he said.

“We are confident this group of individuals has been brought undone as a result of this investigation, but we can’t rule out that there are other people involved or that somebody else is going to pick up where they left off.”

He said investigations were ongoing into whether Mr Gundry had breached border restrictions by being in Queensland.

He said another person who lived at the house was charged with smaller offences, not related to the operation.

The 25-year-old man was issued with a notice to appear in court on January 4.

Rockhampton Magistrates Court heard on January 4 that Corey Howard has other charges set to be mentioned in court on January 18.

The drug possession and pipe charges were adjourned to be mentioned on January 18 with the other charges.