Man with Kids in His Car Caught with Drugs and Cash on M1

BY JESSICA ROUSE

A man faced Newcastle Local Court yesterday after allegedly being caught with drugs and cash in his car on the M1.

Police say at about 12:15pm on Tuesday, a 51-year-old, was driving a sedan north on the M1 at Mandalong when he was stopped for speeding.

Police conducted a roadside drug test on the man which tested positive for cannabis.

Officers then searched the vehicle locating several bags of cannabis totally 2.4kg, 300 capsules of ecstasy (MDMA) and $11,500 in cash which police allege are the proceeds of crime. A knife was also seized.

Image NSW Police Force.

Two children and another adult were also in the car at the time.

The man was taken to Toronto Police Station where he was charged with possess prohibited drug, deal with property proceeds of crime, knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, possess prohibited drug (x5), supply cannabis (x2), possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit, supply prohibited drug, and custody of knife in public place.

He was refused bail.

Image NSW Police Force

Raid on Hunter House Uncovers Cannabis Set-up

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Police have uncovered a large hydroponic cannabis set-up near Cessnock in the Hunter.

At about 10:30pm on Monday night police stopped a Blue Ford Sedan XR6 on Middle Road heading towards Paxton near Cessnock. Police searched the car and allegedly found an amount of cash.

The 50-year-old driver was arrested and taken to Cessnock Police Station.

Police then applied for a search warrant for a property on Middle Road at Paxton.

During raid on the home police allegedly found a hydroponic setup in the rear shed where nine cannabis plants were being grown.

Police say they also found an indoor setup with more cannabis plants, about $3,000 cash which they say is believed to be the proceeds of crime, cannabis leaf throughout the premises, and small resealable bags believed to have contained around 600 grams of methamphetamine.

Police seized all of the items and interviewed a 46-year-old man believed to be the occupant of the home.

He was handed a court attendance notice for cultivating prohibited plants.

He faces Cessnock Local Court next month.