Fourth man charged over alleged murder of drug dealer at Salt Ash

Police will allege the man was in the victim’s car when he was shot in the face at close range with a shotgun.

A fourth man has been charged over the shooting death of a drug dealer at Salt Ash in August.

Strike Force Breve detectives charged the 28-year-old with murder at Cessnock police station on Tuesday.

He also faces a kidnapping charge and one count of possessing a shortened firearm.

Police will allege he was in the alleged victim’s car when the 45-year-old Tanilba Bay man was shot in the face at close range with a shotgun on Hideaway Dr, Salt Ash on the afternoon of August 29.

Detectives have continually said the alleged murder was a targeted attack.

Police conduct a line search at the scene of the fatal shooting of a 45 year old man at Salt Ash. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Peter Lorimer.

His arrest comes 11 days after a Raymond Terrace man, 26, was charged in Grafton with murder, kidnapping and aggravated sexual assault.

He was also charged with possessing an unauthorised firearm, a count which allegedly relates to a shotgun found during a search warrant in September.

Police will allege that shotgun was the murder weapon.

A Grafton magistrate suppressed the alleged killer’s name as well as others charged in relation to the murder and the victim.

Police conduct a line search at the scene of the fatal shooting of a 45 year old man at Salt Ash. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Peter Lorimer.

On November 5, another Raymond Terrace man, 27, was arrested after his car was pulled over by police.

He was later charged with murder, kidnapping, damaging property by fire and possessing a prohibited weapon.

On the same day, a 39-year-old man was arrested and charged with accessory after the fact to murder and accessory after the fact to kidnapping.

All four men remain in custody.

More arrests are expected.