Police Minister’s brother charged with drug, criminal group offences

NSW Police Minister Paul Toole’s brother has faced court after being charged with heading a syndicate which allegedly supplied drugs throughout the state.

The brother of NSW Police Minister and Deputy Premier Paul Toole will remain behind bars after being charged with directing a criminal drug organisation.

Joshua Toole, 38, fronted Newcastle Local Court on Thursday after being charged with eight serious offences related to supplying drugs through an illegal criminal syndicate.

The Belmont North resident was arrested on Wednesday morning during a vehicle stop as a result of an extensive police investigation into the supply of prohibited drugs throughout the Central Coast and Hunter regions.

Joshua Toole, the brother of Police Minister Paul Toole, has faced court after being charged with supplying drugs and directing a criminal drug ring.

Police conducted raids on homes in Belmont North, Nords Wharf and Wadalba, during which they allegedly located and seized $2m worth of methamphetamine.

In addition to the 2kg of meth, officers allege they uncovered $220,000 in cash, an illegal gel-blaster firearm and a number of electronic devices.

Police also arrested a 24-year-old woman, a 43-year-old man and a 42-year-old man in relation to the alleged drug supply ring. However, police claim Mr Toole was the kingpin of the multimillion-dollar drug syndicate.

Joshua Toole was arrested following an investigation into meth supply in NSW. Picture: NSW Police

The 38-year-old has been charged with supplying a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug, knowingly directing the activities of a criminal group, participating in a criminal group to contribute to criminal activity, and five counts of supplying prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis.

He did not enter pleas to the eight charges when he faced court on Thursday. The Police Minister’s brother also did not apply for bail after spending the night behind bars on remand.

Mr Toole will return to Newcastle Local Court on October 21 via audiovisual link.

His arrest unfortunately preceded his brother’s speech announcing a crackdown on organised crime across NSW.

The Belmont North resident has been charged with drug and criminal group offences. Picture: NSW Police

Deputy Premier and Minister Police Paul Toole spoke at parliament on Wednesday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

“We’re coming after you,” the NSW Nationals leader said during the press conference on Wednesday afternoon.

Addressing his brother’s recent charges, the Police Minister said he was “devastated” by the news.

“But we are not the first family to have to deal with this and unfortunately we won’t be the last,” he said.

“No one is above the law.”

Minister Toole’s brother, Kurt, is also currently in custody on remand in relation to drug supply charges.

The 32-year-old pleaded guilty to drug supply last week in Bathurst Local Court.

$220k in cash was uncovered by police during the raids. Picture: NSW Police

2kg of methylamphetamine with a street value of $2m was also seized. Picture: NSW Police