Leslie Maxwell is taken away by police after being arrested in Howlong on July 30.
Two men have appeared in court after the biggest drug bust seen in this region for many years.
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Leslie Samuel Maxwell, 31 and Robert Bailey, 29 were arrested last Wednesday when police executed a search warrant at 6am at a home in Read Street, Howlong.
Police seized 5kg of cocaine with an estimated street value of more than a million dollars, MDMA with an estimated street value of $30,000 and ketamine with an estimated street value of $15,000.
Also seized was $50,000 in cash, two vehicles and $100,000 in goods, which police alleged were the proceeds of crime.
The operation involved the Serious Crime Team attached to Murray River Police District, which commenced Strike Force Whitecourt in April 2025 to target the supply of large quantities of cocaine, ketamine and MDMA in the Murray River region.
Last Wednesday’s raid also involved the Rural Crime Prevention Team and Traffic and Highway Patrol Murray River.
Police seized more than a million dollars worth of cocaine in last week’s raid.
Police executed a second search warrant at a farming property in Weller Gap Road Howlong, where documents were seized for forensic examination.
At the Read Street home, 31-year-old Leslie Maxwell was arrested and taken to Albury Police Station where he was charged with 31 offences, including supplying large commercial quantities of a prohibited drug.
At the same time, NSW Police with the assistance of Victoria Police executed a search warrant at a home in Wilson Street, Wodonga where they seized cocaine, communication devices and a vehicle.
Robert Bailey, 29 was arrested, taken to Wodonga Police Station, and appeared in Wodonga Magistrates Court.
He was granted extradition to New South Wales and taken to Albury Police Station where he was charged with 10 offences including supply of commercial quantities of a prohibited drug.
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