Former drug squad detective Matthew Marshall yesterday.
AN Albury man on remand since last year was yesterday granted bail to attend drug rehabilitation after pleading guilty to five counts of drug supplying.
Peter Thomas O’Brien appeared in Albury Local Court through a video link from Junee jail where he has been since October 29.
He had a charge of participating in a criminal group withdrawn.
Solicitor Mark Cronin said O’Brien, 42, had other charges pending against him of knowingly deal with the proceeds of crime and dealing with property suspected of being the proceeds of crime.
Negotiations are continuing with a Director of Public Prosecutions representative over those charges and Mr Cronin said they were likely to be resolved.
O’Brien was nabbed by police from Strike Force Roder investigating the supply of ice in the Albury region.
The tendered documents in the five drug supplying matters relate to negotiations between O’Brien and former Albury drug squad detective Matthew Marshall about supplying drugs to people.
Magistrate Tony Murray was told the main targets of the investigation were Marshall and Malcolm Collins.
Mr Murray was told during a bail application last year that O’Brien had known Marshall and Collins since school days.
O’Brien had a weekly $1000 drug habit and regularly smoked “ice” with Marshall.
It was suggested by Mr Cronin the charges against O’Brien be adjourned for two months so his rehabilitation could start and a presentence report could be ordered.
Marshall, 41, had 18 drug-related charges against him adjourned until April 22 for a case conference between his solicitor, Paul Robb, and the DPP.
Collins, 43, had his charges adjourned until April 22 after drug squad detectives yesterday served the remaining brief of evidence.
Matthew John Groves, 33, is on bail to attend drug rehabilitation and his charges were also adjourned to April 22.
Heath Parkinson, 27, and Kristopher Crowther, 19, have been charged over their involvement and refused bail.
Their charges have been adjourned to the same date.
