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A pensioner driving a truck from Adelaide to Newcastle has been charged with commercial drug trafficking, after 110 kilograms of cannabis was allegedly found concealed in the rear canopy.
The Mildura Magistrates' Court has heard that police searched an Isuzu truck that had pulled over around six kilometres west of Underbool, in Victoria's Mallee, on Wednesday, May 6.
The court heard 216 vacuum-sealed packages of cannabis, collectively valued at $720,000, were located in a secret compartment.
Police officers also seized two phones, and $1,473.65 from the wallet of the vehicle's sole occupant, 74-year-old Peter Larney from Belmont South, near Newcastle in NSW.
The court heard Mr Larney received a support pension and had been given $2,000 in cash to travel between Newcastle and Adelaide and pick up a truck.
First Constable Mike Thornton said the movements were understood to be part of the operations of a large drug syndicate.
Mr Larney and two unknown men had chatted on the app since November, and details were provided for how to get into the back of the truck, the court heard.
First Constable Thornton told the court the accused gave inconsistent versions of events when interviewed by police, and "would have an idea" the truck was potentially concealing something illegal.
The prosecution opposed Mr Larney's bail, arguing he was a potential flight risk and could alert his co-accused to destroy evidence.
Magistrate Greg Thomas said there were "perhaps too many question marks" over the proposed bail address in New South Wales, which was more than 1000 kilometres from the Mildura Law Courts.
"I'm concerned I don't know enough about the bail proposal," he said.
www.abc.net.au
The Mildura Magistrates' Court has heard that police searched an Isuzu truck that had pulled over around six kilometres west of Underbool, in Victoria's Mallee, on Wednesday, May 6.
The court heard 216 vacuum-sealed packages of cannabis, collectively valued at $720,000, were located in a secret compartment.
Police officers also seized two phones, and $1,473.65 from the wallet of the vehicle's sole occupant, 74-year-old Peter Larney from Belmont South, near Newcastle in NSW.
The court heard Mr Larney received a support pension and had been given $2,000 in cash to travel between Newcastle and Adelaide and pick up a truck.
First Constable Mike Thornton said the movements were understood to be part of the operations of a large drug syndicate.
'Too many question marks'
The court heard a "burner phone" belonging to the accused was analysed, and text messages relating to the travel arrangements were found in an encrypted messaging app.Mr Larney and two unknown men had chatted on the app since November, and details were provided for how to get into the back of the truck, the court heard.
First Constable Thornton told the court the accused gave inconsistent versions of events when interviewed by police, and "would have an idea" the truck was potentially concealing something illegal.
The prosecution opposed Mr Larney's bail, arguing he was a potential flight risk and could alert his co-accused to destroy evidence.
Magistrate Greg Thomas said there were "perhaps too many question marks" over the proposed bail address in New South Wales, which was more than 1000 kilometres from the Mildura Law Courts.
"I'm concerned I don't know enough about the bail proposal," he said.
Mr Larney was refused bail and will return to court in July via video link.
Pensioner accused of driving truck with 110 kilos of concealed cannabis
Police say the was pensioner driving a truck between Adelaide and Newcastle while carrying drugs with a street value of $720,000.
www.abc.net.au
