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Dramatic moment when police minister’s brother is arrested and handcuffed by police as raids reveal $2 million in meth and $220,000 in cash
- Brother of NSW Deputy Prime Minister Paul Toole was arrested for drug raid
- Footage shows the police secretary’s brother stopping in Newcastle, NSW
- The arrest came after an investigation into the supply of illicit drugs in NSW
- Joshua Toole was arrested in a vehicle stop along with a 24-year-old woman
- Four people, including Toole, have now been charged with alleged syndicate
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Dramatic images have surfaced of the brother of the NSW Deputy Prime Minister, Paul Toole, being arrested for his alleged involvement in a major drug supply syndicate
Joshua Toole, 38, was arrested along with a 24-year-old woman at about 9am on Wednesday at synchronized vehicle stops in Newcastle and the Central Coast.
Video shows police instructing Mr Toole to open his trunk and exit the vehicle before detectives handcuff him. He was led away by a detective while police officers searched his car.
Mr. Toole was taken to the Belmont Police Department, where he was charged with multiple counts of drug supply and directing the activities of a criminal group.
The woman and two other men have also been charged with drug-related offenses, after raids on several properties that reportedly uncovered $2 million in meth and $220,000 in cash.
Mr Toole was refused bail on Thursday to appear in Newcastle’s local court.
Mr Toole was refused bail on Thursday to appear in Newcastle’s local court
The brother of NSW Deputy Prime Minister Paul Toole, Joshua (pictured), has been detained and taken away by police as part of a large-scale investigation into an alleged drug supply syndicate
Footage shows officers instructing Mr Toole to open his trunk and exit his vehicle before detectives handcuff him and lead him into a police van
The group of four were arrested Wednesday after a six-month investigation into the Drug and Firearms Squad’s supply of meth in the Central Coast and Hunter Valley regions.
Police Minister Toole said he was ‘stunned’ by the news on Wednesday evening of his brother’s arrest.
The politician was elected last year to replace John Barilaro as leader of the NSW Nationals.
The 24-year-old woman who was with Mr Toole has been charged with drug supply offenses and participation in a criminal group.
She was released on bail and will appear in Wyong court tomorrow.
Police Minister Mr Toole said on Wednesday evening he was “stunned” by the news of the arrest
Mr Toole was arrested at vehicle stops along with a 24-year-old woman on Wednesday
Mr. Toole was taken to the Belmont Police Department, where he was charged with multiple counts of drug supply and directing the activities of a criminal group.
A short time later, investigators executed search warrants in Belmont North, Nords Wharf and Wadalba, allegedly locating and confiscating more than 2kg of methylamphetamine — with an estimated potential street value of $2 million.
They also allegedly found $220,000 in cash, a gel blaster firearm, electronic devices and other items relevant to the investigation.
A 43-year-old man was arrested during the Belmont North home search and taken to the Belmont Police Department.
He has been charged with multiple counts of drug supply, joining a criminal group, handling the proceeds of crime.
The 43-year-old was denied bail and will appear in court in Newcastle on Thursday.
Investigators executed search warrants in Belmont North, Nords Wharf and Wadalba, allegedly locating and confiscating more than 2kg of methylamphetamine – with an estimated potential street value of $2 million
They also allegedly found $220,000 in cash, a gel blaster firearm, electronic devices and other items relevant to the investigation.
Along with Mr Toole and the 24-year-old woman, a 42- and 43-year-old man were charged with the syndicate
After further investigation, a 42-year-old man was arrested at a workplace in Wyong around 10:30 a.m. and taken to the Wyong Police Station.
He has been charged with multiple counts of drug supply, joining a criminal group, recklessly handling the proceeds of crime and drug possession.
He has been denied bail and will appear in Wyong court on Thursday.