Charges laid over alleged Northern Rivers cocaine import syndicate
Police have arrested a man and woman at a Byron hinterland home as they investigate an alleged crime syndicate involved in importing cocaine from the UK.
Police & Courts
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A man and woman have been arrested on the Northern Rivers as part of an investigation into an alleged cross-border crime syndicate involved in the importation of cocaine from the UK.
Tristina Hay, 31, and Samuel David Cross, 33, had their charges mentioned in Byron Bay Local Court on Wednesday where they were not required to appear.
They each face charges of import marketable quantity of border controlled drug, attempt to possess marketable quantity of unlawful import border control drug, deal with proceed of indictable crime and, direct activities of criminal organisation.
A police spokesman said officers from the Richmond Police District had been investigating the alleged importation of cocaine from the United Kingdom to Northern NSW since September.
The spokesman said officers, assisted by Australian Federal Police and Queensland police from the Gold Coast, had seized nearly 1.1kg of cocaine since the investigation was launched.
He said the haul had a potential street value of more than $300,000.
He said arrest warrants had been issued as officers searched for Cross and Hay who were arrested at a McClelland Road home in Barkers Vale, between Kyogle and Murwillumbah, about 8.45am Tuesday.
The matter was heard before a registrar in court with defence lawyer Chris Hannay representing both defendants.
The court heard Queensland police wanted to extradite Ms Hay and Mr Cross however Mr Hannay said they would not be supporting extradition if bail was refused.
The matters were adjourned to Ballina Local Court on December 23 where both are expected to apply for bail and are required to appear.
They remain bail refused.
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