Shane David Richards: Alleged South Burnett drug dealer returns to court

Police have been given a stern warning that a South Burnett man accused of dealing more than $20,000 will be released from custody unless they act fast. Here’s what happened in the courtroom:

An alleged South Burnett meth dealer may leave custody ahead of his court case, with a magistrate condemning delays brought about by outstanding police evidence.

Shane David Richards has been held in custody for nearly four months, accused of dealing more than $20,000 of the insidious drug ice in the South Burnett region.

The case has moved at a sluggish pace since Mr Richards’ arrest, and Murgon magistrate Andrew Sinclair has issued police an ultimatum – hurry up, or Richards will get bail.

The 50-year-old was arrested on November 18 last year when police swooped on a Tarong property and seized drugs including methamphetamines, two firearms and two replica guns, ammunition, and cash.

Mr Richards was denied bail on November 23, with his case returning to court multiple times since then for mentions.

Mr Sinclair ordered a brief of evidence be completed by January 18.

When Richards faced Murgon court on March 15, his lawyer Christabelle Stafford-Smith said she had been told on March 2 the brief wouldn’t be ready for another two to three weeks.

Mr Sinclair noted he had already issued an order for the brief to be ready, and adjourned the case to March 28.

He told Ms Stafford-Smith if she hadn’t received the brief by then she would be able to apply for bail for her client.

He also issued a stern warning to police.

“I’ve made (an order). I’m not going to repeat myself – if it’s not produced by then I’m going to give him bail,” he said.

Richards was charged with 62 offences including 50 counts of supplying dangerous drugs, and one count of trafficking dangerous drugs and receiving or possessing property obtained from trafficking or supplying and other related offences.

He was arrested as part of the five-month Operation Konopie which targeted drug supply across Murgon, Cherbourg, Nanango, Kingaroy, Gayndah, and Mundubbera.

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