THREE Warrnambool men involved in a speed ring worth $85,000 – including one who was an interstate cocaine mule – have indicated they will plead guilty to drug charges.
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Bradley Noel Towers, 40, of Loyola Avenue, Scott Hawkins, 41, of Tarhook Road, and Todd Joseph Bolden, 44, of Swan Street, appeared in the Warrnambool Magistrates Court for a hearing to determine where their case would be heard.
Towers and Hawkins had their matters adjourned for plea hearings in the Warrnambool County Court while Bolden will appear in the magistrates court on August 7.
Members of the Warrnambool police undercover unit started drug investigation Operation Ninhydrins in May 2014, focusing on the trafficking of methyl amphetamine in Warrnambool district with Towers the target.
Telephone warrants were obtained and 459 calls were monitored over three months.
Investigators identified Hawkins was involved in the trafficking of speed, methyl amphetamine in its powder form, and Bolden in the trafficking of cannabis.
On November 17, 2014, Towers arranged to meet a supplier in Colac. He drove there and was observed by members of the state surveillance unit.
Towers was intercepted near Camperdown but officers did not locate the speed as it was hidden.
The next day Towers was intercepted as he left his home. Three ounces of speed was found under the front seat of his ute. The drugs had a street value of $17,000.
In an interview with police, Towers admitted buying speed six times in 12 months, usually two ounces at a time (56.5 grams).
The street value of speed is $200 a gram so Towers admitted to buying drugs valued at $68,000.
Towers said most of the drugs were for personal use but at times he would sell it. He also said he twice went to Cronulla in Sydney to bring back large amounts of cocaine.
Hawkins was also arrested and said he facilitated drugs transactions for Towers. He was paid in drugs to support his habit.
Telephone intercepts showed both men were actively involved in the supply of speed to Warrnambool district.
Bolden was also supplied with speed for his own use while Bolden supplied Towers with cannabis.
In October last year Bolden was intercepted by police on the northern outskirts of Warrnambool. Officers found one pound (450g) of cannabis in a protein powder container valued at just ove $5000.
Bolden said he used cannabis to manage his chronic long-term back pain.