A WELL-known Hunter pharmacist with a financial interest in at least five chemists stands accused of supplying illicit drugs and steroids.
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Phillip Slater, 36, remained behind bars on Wednesday night after a police strike force, set up to investigate his dealings, swooped on his Lorn property and took him into custody.
Mr Slater is alleged to have supplied a range of substances, including pseudoephedrine, dexamphetamine and steroids.
Hundreds of tablets of pseudoephedrine and about 90 vials and syringes of steroids were allegedly seized during the search of his Lorn property.
Strike Force Blacklock detectives also raided a second home in the Maitland area and allegedly seized 40 grams of cocaine and $5000 in cash.
A second man, a 30-year-old from Tenambit, was arrested over that raid and will face charges over the cocaine and cash.
The Wednesday raids follow police and health authorities conducting a series of audits earlier this month of five Hunter pharmacies linked to Mr Slater.
He will face at least 12 charges, including supplying a prohibited drug, possessing a restricted substance, possessing precursors and goods in custody.
Central Hunter crime manager Detective Inspector Mitch Dubojski said the strike force was set up to investigate “the supply of illicit drugs across Central Hunter and neighbouring local area commands’’.
Mr Slater was granted conditional bail on Thursday and will face Maitland Local Court on August 15.
EARLIER:
A PHARMACIST with a financial interest in at least five Hunter chemists has been refused bail accused of illegally supplying illicit drugs and steroids.
The man, 36, was arrested at his Lorn address on Wednesday by Central Hunter police following an investigation into the alleged supply of the substances across the Hunter.
Hundreds of tablets of pseudoephedrine and about 90 vials and syringes of steroids were allegedly seized at Lorn.
Strike Force Blacklock detectives also raided a second home in the Maitland area and allegedly seized 40 grams of cocaine and $5000 in cash.
A second man, a 30-year-old from Tenambit, was arrested over that raid.
The Wednesday raids follow police and health authorities conducting a series of audits on June 9 of five Hunter pharmacies linked to the Lorn man.
He will face at least 12 charges, including supplying a prohibited drug, possessing a retricted substance, possessing precursors and goods in custody.