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Strike Force Smollett detectives charge Rhianna Georgina Gresham and Ryan Noel Bateman with drug supply across Muswellbrook

A police strike force investigating the alleged supply of more than 12 litres of the drug GHB has swooped on its second target as it continues to investigate an alleged drug syndicate working out of the Upper Hunter.

Rhianna Georgina Gresham, 36, was refused bail in Singleton Local Court on Wednesday. Picture: Google Maps
Rhianna Georgina Gresham, 36, was refused bail in Singleton Local Court on Wednesday. Picture: Google Maps

Police investigating the alleged supply of large amounts of the drug GHB across the Upper Hunter have made their second arrest.

Rhianna Georgina Gresham, 36, did not apply for bail when she briefly faced Singleton Local Court on Wednesday on a range of charges, including supplying a large commercial quantity of the drug, also known as liquid fantasy.

The charge, for which Gresham has not been required to enter a plea, carries a maximum jail term of life imprisonment if found guilty and relates to the alleged supply of 12.5 litres of GHB.

Gresham was the second person charged by Strike Force Smollett detectives following an investigation into the alleged supply of drugs in Muswellbrook.

The probe, which kicked off in February, culminated in the raid of a Denman property on Tuesday before Gresham was taken into custody.

Strike Force Smollett detectives arrested Rhianna Georgina Gresham, 36, following a raid on a home on Virginia St, Denman on April 23, 2024. Picture: Google Maps.
Strike Force Smollett detectives arrested Rhianna Georgina Gresham, 36, following a raid on a home on Virginia St, Denman on April 23, 2024. Picture: Google Maps.

Police will allege they also found a quantity of drugs and mobile phones in the Virginia St home.

Along with the large commercial supply charge relating to the GHB, Gresham also faces charges that she supplied and possessed methamphetamine.

The arrest came after Ryan Noel Bateman, 36, was arrested following a vehicle stop at Muswellbrook on April 12.

Strike Force Smollett detectives charged Bateman with 11 offences, including the large commercial drug supply charge related to the 12.5 litres of GHB.

They also allege Bateman was involved with heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, cannabis and Xanax.

He faced Newcastle bail court the following day where was not required to enter a plea and was refused bail.

A second court appearance at Muswellbrook on April 16 saw his matters adjourned to Newcastle in June.

Strike Force Smollett investigations continue.

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/the-newcastle-news/strike-force-smollett-detectives-charge-rhianna-georgina-gresham-and-ryan-noel-bateman-with-drug-supply-across-muswellbrook/news-story/4229decb9281ddb59f63b24d5bc295f3