A Local Court magistrate has voiced her frustration over further delays in a case involving four co-accused charged with making $9 million worth of cocaine in a large-scale drug lab in Yass.
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Jordan David Stephens, 20, David Quang Dung Pham, 36 and John Capistran Le, 41 weren't required to appear in Goulburn Local Court on Wednesday, April 15 when their case was mentioned.
Esteban Ricardo Forero Gomez, 26 has already been committed for trial in the District Court.
The four men are each charged with the supply and manufacture of a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug.
They were arrested on June 5, 2019 at a hotel in Yass as police dismantled the large-scale drug lab in a Yass River Road property where they allegedly found 30 kilograms of cocaine.
The court heard on April 15 that Stephens, Pham and Le were working on an offer with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
An email to the court from Stephens' legal representative stated he was up to his third counter-offer with the DPP and believed the case could be resolved through an offer.
It's been before the court for a long time.
- Magistrate Geraldine Beattie
In court, Magistrate Geraldine Beattie expressed her frustration at the delay.
"There is a large brief (of evidence) and these are serious charges," she said.
"It's almost its (the case's) birthday. It's been before the court for a long time."
Magistrate Beattie said she would agree to adjourn the case "for the last time" until May 13 for a committal hearing when the three co-accused would appear via audio visual link.
The magistrate will decide then whether the prosecution has enough evidence for the case to be committed for trial or sentence.
A police statement released in June stated officers also found several chemicals used to make drugs, Australian and European cash and mobile telephones during the Yass River Road drug lab raid.
The raid was part of Strike Force Judy, an investigation into the manufacture and supply of cocaine and methylamphetamine (ice).
None of the co-accused have entered a plea to the drug charges and remain in custody.
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