Newell Highway: Askin McMahon refused bail over alleged $2.5 million illegal tobacco, vape haul

There have been multiple arrests on a major highway in the state’s west over the past few days, including a man allegedly caught with a huge haul of illegal cigarettes and vapes. Here’s the latest.

Inside the truck stopped on the Newell Highway, Dubbo. Picture: NSW Police.

Highway patrol officers claim to have located and seized more than $2 million worth of illegal cigarettes near Dubbo.

Dubbo Highway Patrol officers stopped a Pantech truck on the Newell Highway, Dubbo, for a random breath test about 4.20pm on Friday.

During the stop, police allegedly located more than 180 boxes containing a combination of illegal cigarettes and vapes.

Following a search of the vehicle, officers allegedly located and seized more than 1.6 million illegal cigarettes and 1550 vapes.

The combined street value of the items is estimated to be more than $2.5 million.

Police arrested the driver of the truck, Askin McMahon, before taking him to Dubbo Police Station.

Askin McMahon was charged with possessing more than 100kg of tobacco. Picture: NSW Police.

He was charged with possessing more than 100kg of tobacco, possessing tobacco products to defraud revenue, and having custody of suspected stolen goods.

The 61-year-old Queensland man was also charged with restricted substance being sold by a non-wholesaler, dealing with proceeds of crime greater than $100,000, and possessing or attempting to prescribe a restricted substance.

McMahon faced Dubbo Local Court via audiovisual link on Monday, when he did not apply for bail.

He was remanded in custody to reappear in the same court on July 4.

In another highway incident, Dubbo officers stopped a Renault van on the Newell Highway near Tooraweenah, on June 17, and allegedly located more than 66,000 illegal cigarettes and 8kg of tobacco.

Dubbo Highway Patrol officers also claim to have located $30,620, which is suspected to be the proceeds of illegal tobacco sales.

A 40-year-old man from Queensland will appear at Gilgandra Local Court in August.

One of the men allegedly attempted to run into bushland. Picture: NSW Police.

In a separate incident on June 19, Dubbo Highway Patrol officers stopped a Pantech truck on the Newell Highway near Coonabarabran.

Police say one of the occupants attempted to run into bushland but was apprehended.

A search was conducted, with 901 cannabis plants located within the back of the van.

Two Queensland men, both aged 54, were arrested and taken to Coonabarabran Police Station.

They were both charged with the possession of a commercial quantity of prohibited plants, and were refused bail to appear at Coonabarabran Local Court.

Penalty notices were issued to the men in relation to not wearing seatbelts.

More than 900 cannabis plants were seized. Picture: NSW Police.

Separately, Orana Mid-Western Police District officers have charged a teenager with break and enter, car theft and pursuit offences after an arrest in Dubbo early on Saturday morning.

Officers attempted to stop a Mazda utility travelling on North St, Dubbo, after there had been reports the vehicle was driving dangerously.

When the driver allegedly failed to stop when directed by a fully marked police vehicle, a pursuit was initiated.

The pursuit continued until the utility stopped on Coolabah St, Dubbo, where the driver allegedly attempted to flee the scene of foot.

Following investigations, officers, with assistance from members of the public, arrested a 17-year-old boy in the front yard of a nearby home.

During the arrest, police allegedly located a knife, several fireworks and items believed to have been stolen from an earlier break and enter.

The boy was taken to Dubbo Police Station, where he was charged with aggravated break and enter to commit a serious indictable offence, break and enter to steal less than $60,000, stealing a motor vehicle, having custody of suspected stolen goods, and not stopping during a police pursuit.

He was also charged with driving without having ever obtained a licence, possessing an explosive in a public place and possessing a knife in a public place.

The teen was refused bail to face a children’s court on Saturday.

Police will also allege the teen had broken into a Dubbo home earlier that morning, stealing keys to the Mazda utility and other items before fleeing in the stolen vehicle.