Two Melbourne men charged with drug trafficking and breaking Victoria's public health order after being pulled over in roving border compliance patrols will return to Wodonga court next year.
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Police pulled over a tow truck on the Hume Highway near Wodonga around midnight on July 20 and allegedly found 15 kilograms of methylamphetamine.
The vehicle, with Victorian registration plates, was intercepted by officers performing roving patrols as part of Operation Sentinel.
There's two co-accused and a number of witnesses
- Prosecutor Sam Davison
Detectives from the Wodonga Criminal Investigation Unit seized the tow truck and another vehicle on the back of the truck, and it was described at the time as a "significant drug bust".
Heath Anderson, 37, appeared in custody via video link before Wodonga Magistrates Court yesterday, charged with trafficking methylamphetamine in "a large commercial quantity".
A sample of his oral fluid taken by police was allegedly found to contain an illicit drug.
Anderson is also accused of failing to stay within 5 kilometres of home and leaving a restricted area without a valid reason, rules set out by the Chief Health Officer.
The court heard a drug analysis was still pending.
Magistrate Ian Watkins adjourned the matter for further committal mention on February 10, asking Anderson if he understood, to which he said "not really".
Anderson's co-accused, 28-year-old Casper De Waij, also appeared on drug trafficking charges.
Prosecutor Sam Davison said forensics on the drug analysis were due back in January and he was seeking to examine a witness.
"There's two co-accused and a number of witnesses," he said.
"Perhaps it may be suitable for this committal hearing to take place after that forensics in order for Anderson to potentially join the committal hearing."
De Waij's lawyer, Sarah Pratt, raised the prosecution were claiming public interest immunity on some matters, and Mr Watkins recommended legal argument be resolved prior to the committal beginning on June 1.
"If that issue is out of the way before the committal starts, there's probably a better prospect of it running within the two-day time limit," he said.
"I admire your joint optimism in thinking there was a possibility of getting a two-day hearing before February.
"We're going to have a seventh Magistrate in this region next year - it does give us a little bit of flexibility."
De Waij also appeared in custody via video link, yawning during proceedings.
