The brother of NSW Police Minister and Deputy Premier Paul Toole has been charged with with serious drug supply offence and directing a criminal group.
Joshua Toole, 38, was arrested on Wednesday by Drug and Firearms Squad detectives during a police stop in the Newcastle suburb of Belmont.
Investigators executed search warrants in Belmont North, Nords Wharf and Wadalba, where they allegedly located and seized $2m worth of methylamphetamine, $220,000 cash, a gel-blaster firearm and electronic devices.
Later that day, his brother – the leader of the NSW Nationals party and Minister Police – fronted reporters to announce updated legislation to crackdown on organised criminals across the state of NSW.
“We’re coming after you,” Mr Toole said during the press conference.
In a statement Paul Toole said he was “devastated” by the news.
“But we are not the first family to have to deal with this and unfortunately we won’t be the last,” he said.
“No one is above the law.”
In a statement, police said a strike force was established in April to investigate the supply of the drug in the Central Coast and Hunter, with Raptor squad, Hunter Region Enforcement Squad and Northern Region Operation Support Group officers assisting in the arrests.
Joshua Toole has been charged with supplying a large commercial quantity prohibited drug, knowingly direct activities of criminal group, participating in a criminal group to contribute criminal activity, and five counts of supplying prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis.
He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Thursday.