William Brunell, Aaron Mackie: Coke-dealing co-accuseds charged with serious supply offences

Two men have been charged with coordinating the supply of cocaine throughout a small suburb on the Mid-North Coast.

Two men accused of coordinating the supply of cocaine throughout a small suburb on the NSW Mid-North Coast have had their cases adjourned at court.

William Burnell, 30, and his co-accused Aaron Mackie, 35, have been charged with eight offences relating to the supply of cocaine over a seven month period between June, 2020 and February, 2021, at Pampoolah near Taree.

Mr Burnell, who has been in custody since his arrest on February 24, did not appear at Taree Local Court on Tuesday.

Police will allege that Mr Burnell knowingly took part in the commercial supply of cocaine, an amount they allege is not less than 250g, at Pampoolah between June 19, 2020 and February 24, 2021.

William Mackie outside Taree Local Court.

He is also charged with one count of unlawfully obtaining goods, being an amount of $8610 in cash, that police reasonably suspect as being stolen or otherwise unlawfully obtained.

His alleged accomplice, Mr Mackie, did front court on Tuesday, charged with seven counts of supplying a prohibited drug, being cocaine, over the same period and one count of unauthorised possession of a firearm.

Both men will reappear at Taree Local Court next month.

Police allege in court documents state that Mr Mackie ‘is an associate of an organised criminal group and involved in the coordinated supply of illicit drugs’ on the Mid-North Coast.

The 35-year-old, who is self employed in a family operated business, successfully applied for Supreme Court bail in April, subject to strict conditions.

His bail orders preclude him from associating with Mr Burnell, being within 1km of an airport or point of departure and not going into the town of Pampoolah.

William Mackie appeared at Taree Local Court

He is also under strict orders to report to police seven days a week and abstain from drugs and alcohol, unless advised by a medical practitioner.

“The accused has limited criminal history and is a self confessed abuser of the illicit drug, cocaine,” court documents state.

“The accused has strong ties to the local Taree area. The drug supply offences are serious and demonstrate his involvement in the coordinated supply of prohibited drugs withing the local regional community.

“There are serious implications within the regional community by the accused supplying illicit drugs.”

Police allege that they have a ‘strong prosecution brief relying on technical, forensic and physical evidence' against Mr Mackie.

Both men will reappear in court on June 8.