Jacob Bolton, Mark Flack and Zachary Wood in Wagga Local Court accused of drug supply ring
A group of men has fronted court after a police uncovered the drug ice, counterfeit cash, cannabis, electronic devices, a trail bike and prescription medication in the Riverina.
The Wagga News
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Three men charged over an alleged drug ring in the Wagga area have all been remanded in custody after appearing via video link in Wagga Local Court on Wednesday.
Jacob James Boulton, 21, Zachary Shane Wood, 24, and Mark Anthony Flack, 26, have all been charged after police raided a Turvey Park house about 6.30am on May 12.
Officers seized the drug ice, counterfeit cash, cannabis, electronic devices, a trail bike and prescription medication.
Police allege in court the men operated as a criminal group and were supplying prohibited drugs to people throughout the Wagga area.
Jacob James Bolton, charged with 18 counts of supply prohibited drug and one count each of supply prohibited drug on an ongoing basis, participate criminal group contribute to criminal activity and recklessly deal with proceeds of crime.
The 21-year-old from Turvey Park has not pleaded to the charges. He did not apply for bail and bail was formally refused.
Zachary Shane Wood, aged 24 and from Turvey Park, has not pleaded to six counts of supply prohibited drug and one count of participate criminal group contribute to criminal activity.
Narrandera man Mark Anthony Flack, 26, also has not pleaded to seven counts of supply prohibited drug and one count each of supply prohibited drug on an ongoing basis and participate criminal group contribute to criminal activity,
In court, police prosecutor Sergeant Jozef Pinkerton opposed bail for Wood and Flack, saying concerns revolved around the potential to commit further offences, endangering the safety of the community and interfering with evidence and witnesses.
Sergeant Pinkerton said if convicted, jail terms for both were “highly likely” and that the mobile intercept evidence they have form a strong prosecution case.
“I concede that Mr Wood has an otherwise limited history. However, given the nature of the seriousness of the (alleged) offences, the imposition of bail conditions would not address those concerns.” he said.
“Mr Flack has a prior history of similar offences and served an intensive corrections order in 2017, yet he (allegedly) continues to reoffend in the same way.”
Defence solicitor Hannah Dreher represented Wood and Flack and said there were specific conditions for both that would mitigate concerns.
As for Flack, she said that prior to his arrest, he was already seeking rehabilitation to address his drug issues as his addiction became “a more serious” one.
“(It is) indicative of how serious he’s making a change in his life at the moment from that lifestyle,” Ms Dreher said.
Magistrate Daniel Covington said the prosecution’s case was strong and that if both accused were convicted, jail terms were likely.
Bail was refused for both men.
Wood, Flack and Worsencroft are set to face court again later this month while Bolton is scheduled for late June.
In April 2020, Strike Force Detop was established by investigators from the Southern Region Enforcement Squad to investigate the supply of prohibited drugs in the Wagga area.