A man has been charged following an alleged police pursuit and drug seizure in the state’s north-east last week.
Officers attached to Traffic and Highway Patrol Command were conducting random roadside testing on Jewry Street, Tamworth, about 11 pm on Friday, 22 May, when a vehicle allegedly failed to stop as directed by police.
Police will allege the driver accelerated away, prompting a pursuit during which the vehicle reached speeds of up to 175km/h.
The pursuit continued through residential and rural areas, including Dampier Street, Gunnedah Road and Duri-Dungowan Road, before the vehicle allegedly suffered mechanical failure and stopped on the New England Highway.
Police arrested the driver, a 43-year-old man, and searched the vehicle. Officers allegedly seized 67 grams of the drug ‘ice’, with an estimated street value of $10,000, as well as oxycodone tablets, a laser pointer, mobile phones, weighing scales and about $7445 in cash.
The vehicle was also seized for forensic examination.
The man was taken to Tamworth Police Station, where he underwent an oral fluid test that allegedly returned a positive result for methylamphetamine.
He was charged with:
- police pursuit – fail to stop – drive recklessly
- drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous
- drive motor vehicle during disqualification period
- supply prohibited drug greater than indictable and less than commercial quantity
- possess/attempt to possess prescribed restricted substance
- recklessly deal with proceeds of crime greater than $5000
- possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit.
The man was refused bail and appeared before Bail Division Court 5 on Saturday, 23 May, where bail was formally refused. He reappeared at Tamworth Local Court yesterday, Monday, 25 May.
He was again refused bail and is due to reappear before Tamworth Local Court on Wednesday 10 June 2026.
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