A Dubbo man has faced a Queensland court, charged with more than 60 counts of stealing stock and fraud.
Queensland Police say detectives from their Toowoomba Rural and Stock Crime Squad travelled to Dubbo, New South Wales, to extradite the farmer after a lengthy investigation into stock stealing.
On January 10, detectives applied to extradite the 48-year-old Dubbo man who was located by NSW Police over charges related to Operation Whiskey Radford.
Queensland Police says that in December 2023, Toowoomba detectives set up the operation after they were alerted to cattle thefts in the Pikedale area.
Police are alleging that the cattle were stolen from an agistment property by the leaseholder.
DNA analysis was used to allow police to seize 30 head of cattle as part of initial investigations and a “subsequent” muster of a 7000ha property.
The man appeared in Toowoomba Magistrate’s Court on Monday (January 12) charged with stock stealing (32 counts), unlawful use of stock, fraud (33 counts) involving the supply of stock lick (supplement) and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
COPPPER THEFT CHARGES AT TOWNSVILLE
IN an unrelated matter, Townsville detectives have charged two men with trying to steal copper wire at Deeragun on Sunday, January 11.
They were due to appear in Townsville Magistrates Court on Monday (January 12) charged with severing with intent to steal (seven counts) and one count of possessing break-in tools.
Police say that at about 5.50pm on Sunday, two men were seen lifting pit lids and cutting what appeared to be cooper wire near the Bruce Highway on-ramp.
Watch the Qld Police video here; audio partially available.
A short time later, Townsville Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) arrested a Bundaberg North man, 34, and a 50-year-old Heatley man at an Oak Street address at Deeragun.
Investigations into both cases are continuing.
Anyone with information are urged to contact Policelink or Crime Stoppers.
You can also report crime anonymously by calling 1800 333 000 or report it online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.
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