Shane David Richards: Alleged South Burnett drug dealer’s case moves forward

The case involving an alleged South Burnett drug dealer is back on track, after a magistrate earlier threatened to release him from custody following continued delays in the police case.

The case involving an alleged South Burnett ice dealer is moving forward, after months of languishing in court.

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

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, two replica guns, ammunition, and cash.

Mr Richards was denied bail on November 23, with his case returning to court multiple times and then stalling.

The case has moved at a sluggish pace and Murgon magistrate Andrew Sinclair issued police an ultimatum at the last hearing in March – hurry up, or Richards will get bail.

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

When Mr Richards faced Murgon court on March 15, defence 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.

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.

The case was briefly mentioned in Murgon court this week, with lawyer Jay Rose requesting a lengthy adjournment.

She informed the court the full briefs of evidence had been received and the case would likely need to be listed for committal.

The case was adjourned to July 5 and Mr Richards was remanded in custody.

Mr Richards is 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.