Keith Middleton faces another delay in drug trafficking, supply case

One of the men charged over an alleged major drug trafficking operation in the Burnett has had yet another delay in the case against him. Here’s what happened:

One of the alleged key players in an accused Burnett meth syndicate has had yet another delay to his case in the courts.

Keith Norman Middleton, 23, faces more that 100 charges of trafficking and supplying stemming from his alleged involvement in a mammoth ice supply scheme across the Burnett region.

The young man was charged as part of the major drug crackdown Operation Konopie, which targeted drug supply across Murgon, Cherbourg, Nanango, Kingaroy, Gayndah, and Mundubbera.

Murgon detectives charged a total of 57 people with 404 charges and seized firearms and drugs following the closure of the operation targeting the supply of methylamphetamine in the Burnett.

Mr Middleton is awaiting trial in custody.

He previously had his case adjourned due to allow time for a mental health assessment to be completed, with his lawyer noting of a significant time delay on the report being completed. 

His matter was again mentioned in Murgon Magistrates Court on March 29, where it was again adjourned to October 11.

Mr Middleton is also facing a slew of unrelated driving and traffic charges.

His co-accused Shane David Richards last faced court on March 15, where the court heard delays in police evidence were also slowing the case.