Jamieson Andrew Santos, 37, and his passenger, Joseph Frank Micalizzi, 24.Santos gave a Tamworth Post Office box as his address.Both men have been charged with possessing methylamphetamine with intent to sell or supply and supply and possess MDMA (ecstasy) with intent to sell or supply. As of late yesterday no arrests had been made in relation to Sunday’s Pilliga State Forest cannabis crop discovery. The raid was made within 25km of Narrabri.Western Australian police had arrested the two men as part of Wednesday’s $77 million drug bust.NSW police said a Narrabri local recognised the men’s plane from the news coverage on Friday. The person told NSW officers the aircraft had been operating out of Narrabri Airport.A car has since been seized for forensic examination at Narrabri Airport.
“We seized (a) car (allegedly the property of Santos) and executed a search warrant at a local property,” Inspector Mick Bostock of Narrabri police told The Leader yesterday.“We seized just under 300 cannabis plants being grown in a sophisticated setup. We also seized lighting equipment, air air conditioners pumps and other equipment.”Ispector Bostock confirmed North Western police had liaised closely with the organised crime unit of Western Australian police.Only 25 of the plants were seedlings. The rest were in various stages of development.Santos and Micalizzi both appeared in Perth Magistrate’s Court on Friday.The pair were remanded in custody and are set to reappear in Perth Magistrate’s Court on April 3.
“The real issue for the police is the original source of the drugs... and who they were going to be delivered to,” the spokesperson said.
“I suspect more arrests can be anticipated over the same matter in the weeks to come.” Police have estimated the value of the methylamphetamine at “at least” $75 million while the ecstasy tablets are believed to worth at least $1.8 million.
“We seized (a) car (allegedly the property of Santos) and executed a search warrant at a local property,” Inspector Mick Bostock of Narrabri police told The Leader yesterday.“We seized just under 300 cannabis plants being grown in a sophisticated setup. We also seized lighting equipment, air air conditioners pumps and other equipment.”Ispector Bostock confirmed North Western police had liaised closely with the organised crime unit of Western Australian police.Only 25 of the plants were seedlings. The rest were in various stages of development.Santos and Micalizzi both appeared in Perth Magistrate’s Court on Friday.The pair were remanded in custody and are set to reappear in Perth Magistrate’s Court on April 3.
“The real issue for the police is the original source of the drugs... and who they were going to be delivered to,” the spokesperson said.
“I suspect more arrests can be anticipated over the same matter in the weeks to come.” Police have estimated the value of the methylamphetamine at “at least” $75 million while the ecstasy tablets are believed to worth at least $1.8 million.
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