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A man has been refused bail after 15kg of drugs and cash was seized following a car stop in the state’s far west earlier this year.
About 1.15pm on Saturday 18 April 2026, officers attached to Western Plains Traffic and Highway Patrol stopped a white Renault van travelling west on the Sturt Highway, Gol Gol, after checks revealed the vehicle was displaying incorrect licence plates.
Further checks revealed the driver had a suspended licence.
The driver – a 32-year-old man – was subjected to roadside testing which returned negative results to drugs and alcohol.
During a search of the van, officers will allege 13kg of methamphetamine – with an estimated potential street value of $13 million – and a large sum of cash was located and seized. The van was taken for further examination.
The 32-year-old man was arrested and taken to Dareton Police Station where he was charged with driving, and drug related offences.
Following further inquiries, officers yesterday (Thursday 23 July 2026), conducted a secondary search of the van, where 2kg of cocaine – with an estimated potential street value of $1.2 million – was allegedly located and seized.
The 32-year-old man was charged with 10 offences,
- Supply prohibited drug greater than or equal to large commercial quantity (two counts)
- Possess prohibited drug (two counts)
- Recklessly deal with proceeds of crime greater than $5000
- Use class A vehicle displaying misleading number-plate
- Unlawfully possess thing resembles etc number plate
- Drive motor vehicle while licence suspended
- Use unregistered registrable Class A motor vehicle on road, and
- Use uninsured motor vehicle on road
The 32-year-old man was refused bail and appeared before Bail Division Local Court on 19 April 2026, with his next reappearance bail refused at Broken Hill Local Court on Tuesday 25 August 2026.
