THE evidence the Director of Public Prosecutions will rely on to prosecute the cases against 10 young men and women allegedly involved in the manufacture and distribution of amphetamines in Bathurst should be served by mid-March, Bathurst Local Court has heard.
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DPP managing lawyer Ron England and solicitors representing the 10 accused - some of whom have been in custody since they were arrested during Operation Croppa last year - have confirmed that “two to three reams of material” have been served as part of the briefs.
Mr England advised the court that some police statements were still outstanding, as well as the certification required to forensically identify the precursors used in the manufacture of amphetamines allegedly found in possession of some of the defendants.
All of the allegations have been adjourned for further mention of the cases on Monday, March 23 at the Bathurst Court House.
The court has heard that much of the information police will rely upon will come from telephone taps that have to be transcribed.
Stephen Michael Freeman, 50, is facing 12 charges related to the alleged cultivation and possession of cannabis and a precursor to manufacture amphetamines.
John Phillip Bright, 23, is alleged to have conspired with Sonia Loretta Scott, 38, Patrick Richard Kerr, 34, Matthew John Oakford, 36 and Steven John Schofield, 28 to supply amphetamines between May 18 and July 4, 2008.
Bright is facing nine charges and Scott four counts including conspiracy and ongoing supply, allegedly dealing in amphetamines for financial reward.
Bright and Scott have been charged with supply of 27.26 grams of amphetamines between May and June last year while Bright has also been charged over the supply of smaller amounts.
Bright has further also charged with conspiracy to supply amphetamines with Oakford between May and July. Kerr is facing nine charges similar to Bright, including alleged conspiracy with four others.
Schofield is facing four counts, including conspiracy with Kerr to supply methyamphetamines and ecstasy and possession of amphetamines.
Joseph Andrew Sommer, aside from allegations of conspiracy to supply amphetamines, has been charged over the alleged supply of 7.5 grams of amphetamines in June and possession of 2.2 grams of amphetamines in July.
Cases against all of the above mentioned defendants – as well as Lauren Elizabeth Kelly, Christine Kaye Peters and Kellie Louise Schofield – were all mentioned briefly when adjourned for further mention in March unless representations being made to police are successful prior to that date.
