A man has been charged with commercial drug supply after more than $2 million worth of cocaine was located inside a vehicle on the state's far north coast.
Shortly before 3pm on Tuesday (1 June 2021), officers attached to the North Coast Region Enforcement Squad (RES) observed a gold Nissan X-Trail allegedly driving at speed northbound on the M1 Pacific Motorway near Bangalow.
Officers stopped the vehicle and spoke with the driver – and sole occupant of the vehicle – a 24-year-old Pottsville man.
The man underwent a roadside breath test which returned a negative result. After further inquiries, police conducted a search of the Nissan where they located a vacuum sealed bag containing a substance, believed to be cocaine, and cash. The items and vehicle were seized for further forensic examination.
The man was taken to Byron Bay Police Station and charged with large commercial drug supply, deal with the proceeds of crime and exceed speed more than 10km/hr. He was refused bail to face Lismore Local Court the next day.
The vehicle was further examined by detectives on Wednesday (2 June 2021) – with the assistance of the Police Dog Unit – where officers located a further five packages of cocaine concealed in a speaker box and under the rear seats.
In total, police located approximately 6.7kg of cocaine, with an estimated street value of more than $2 million.
Further charges are expected to be laid, with the Pottsville man remaining bail refused to face Byron Bay Local Court today (Monday 7 June 2021).
Inquiries are continuing.
