MEDIA RELEASE
As a result of a sixteen month investigation a 42 year old Harden man and a 63 year old Jugiong man have entered pleas of guilty to a number of offences relating to disposal and receiving of cattle stolen outside the state and offences under the Stock Diseases Act and Local Land Services Act.
In December 2015, a joint investigation was commenced involving Detectives from the Cootamundra and Albury Rural Crime Investigation Units, as well as the Queensland Stock and Rural Crime Investigation Squad. The Investigation uncovered the theft of seventy two (72) head of cattle from a rural property near Cunnamulla in Queensland on the 18th November 2015. The stolen cattle were transported to a property in the Harden area, with the cattle subsequently sold and disposed of. Rural Crime Investigators from Cootamundra, Albury and surrounding Commands executed a search warrant at the Harden property on Wednesday 16 December 2015. After conducting a muster of the property, 72 head of cattle were seized as exhibits. The cattle were valued at $102828.00. The cattle were subsequently returned to the owner.
On Monday 20th March 2017, the 42 year old male from Harden, entered a plea of guilty to disposing of the stolen cattle, and other offences relating to the transport of the cattle from interstate. On Friday 7th May 2017, a 63 year old Jugiong male, entered a plea of guilty to receiving the stolen cattle, removing NLIS ear-tags and other offences relating to the transport and receiving of livestock
Both men will be sentenced in relation to the matters at Cootamundra Local Court on Monday 15th May 2017.
Queensland Stock and Rural Crime Investigation Squad is continuing to investigate the Queensland offences relating to the theft of seventy two head of cattle.’
Police encourage people to report incidents of rural crime. Any information they may have can be reported directly to Police or by telephoning Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000 or their local Police Station.
