Matthew James Long charged with trafficking, fraud after alleged Noosa coke ring
Police have revealed why they’ve decided to drop some of the charges against an alleged Noosa drug trafficker as his case clocks up about 15 months in court.
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A former Noosa man facing cocaine trafficking and fraud allegations has had some of the charges against him dropped after international authorities failed to provide evidence in time.
Matthew James Long, 33, 0f Lennox Head is charged with drug trafficking, stealing and 28 counts of fraud – dishonestly gain benefit/advantage carries on the business.
Court documents seen by the Daily showed Mr Long, who used to live at Sunshine Beach, was charged with one count of trafficking in dangerous drugs, namely cocaine, between May 23, 2020 and March 17, 2021 at Sunshine Beach.
He was also charged with importing or exporting commercial quantities of border controlled drugs or plants.
The court documents show that charge related to the alleged importation of cocaine between September 22, 2020 and October 28, 2020 in Noosaville.
However, police prosecutor Sergeant Phillip Stephens told Noosa Magistrates Court on August 16, 2022, he would be offering no further evidence for the importing charge.
The court heard police would also be dropping a further attempt to import or export commercial quantities of border controlled drugs or plants.
Sergeant Stephens said the two charges would not be proceeding because of technical issues with the international investigation surrounding the alleged incident.
“The difficulty in having international colleagues assist us with the investigations has proved difficult and that’s what has held this matter up,” he said.
“For that reason we’re going to withdraw those charges.”
It is understood Dutch and New Zealand authorities were assisting police with the investigation.
Magistrate Matthew McLaughlin adjourned proceedings to September 27, 2022, where all other charges are expected to proceed.
“I understand this is a complex matter, so I’m able to be more generous with the directions but given it’s 15 months old,” he said.
Mr Long, who remains on Supreme Court bail, was excused from attending court on Tuesday.
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Originally published as Matthew James Long charged with trafficking, fraud after alleged Noosa coke ring
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