Jordan Hugh Worsencroft fronts Wagga Local Court accused of drug supply ring
A man accused of being involved in a Riverina drug ring has tried for bail after police raided a home, allegedly uncovering ice, cannabis and prescription medication.
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A man who was on bail for alleged break and enter offences has fronted court again accused of being involved in a Wagga drug ring.
Jordan Hugh Worsencroft, 39, appeared via video link in Wagga Local Court on Tuesday charged with supply prohibited drug to which he has not pleaded.
Two unrelated sets of matters relating to the break and enter charges were also mentioned during his bail hearing.
Worsencroft’s appearance came after strike force officers executed a search warrant at a Turvey Park home of two co-accused about 6.30am on Tuesday.
Officers allegedly located and seized the drug ice, counterfeit cash, cannabis, electronic devices, a trail bike and prescription medication.
Police allege the men operated as a criminal group and were supplying prohibited drugs throughout the Wagga area.
In court, defence solicitor Marie-Clare Tabuteau argued Worsencroft’s detention was not justified because the prosecution’s case was “not the strongest” circumstantial case because it relied mostly on text messages.
“Police rely on ad hoc evidence as to the meaning of words in the transactions (in the phone texts),” Ms Tabuteau said.
“There’s no physical observations of hand-to-hand transactions or other types of transactions that one would expect with such supplies.”
She also said no drugs were seized from her client and that if he were remanded in custody for more than six months, he would be at risk of losing his public housing, which took him three years to secure.
“The house is a huge turning point for him. He’s really worked hard for this housing, he doesn’t want to put it in jeopardy,” she said.
Prosecutor Sergeant Jasmine Carr said the case was complex and involved more than just circumstantial evidence based on text messages.
“There’s a myriad of evidence that will come with respect to co-accused persons, which I submit clearly demonstrates a drug relationship between the parties in the meanings (of the text messages),” Sergeant Carr said.
“The physical surveillance that heightens the prosecution’s case. He meets at a location with a known drug dealer to facilitate that exchange,” she alleged.
Magistrate Christopher Halburd said it was not shown why Worsencroft being in custody was not justified.
“What we’ve got here is a very strong prosecution case with respect to supplying a prohibited drug into the community,” Mr Halburd said.
“Unless there’s a particular investigative technique used, oftentimes there’s no seizure of the actual drug and so the matters proceed as a circumstantial case.
“This is a very strong circumstantial case. There is some direct evidence in respect to the text messages and with respect to the observations.”
Mr Halburd also said if Worsencroft were found guilty of all his current charges, a community-based sentence “really goes out the window and he’s looking at an extensive period in custody”.
After learning the decision, Worsencroft told the court: “I’m going to lose my house, your honour. I’m going to lose my house.”
He is scheduled to front court again on May 27.
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 failed to appear in court on Tuesday.
The 21-year-old, who is on bail, will be notified to attend Tumbarumba Local Court on July 9.
Two other men, aged 24 and 26, were scheduled to front court on Tuesday but had their matters move to Wednesday due to time.
The 26-year-old has been charged with 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.
The 24-year-old has been charged with six counts of supply prohibited drug and participate criminal group contribute to criminal activity.
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.