Investigation into altercation at racecourse lead to police raid and drug bust at house

A police raid at a Tabulam home on Wednesday was sparked by a physical altercation  between two men at a racecourse on the last day of 2021.

At 9.30pm on Friday, December 31, police allege the physical altercation broke out between two men – aged 32 and 35 – at the Tabulam Racecourse leaving the younger man with serious injuries to his face.

The man went to Casino Hospital the following day to be treated for the injuries.

An investigation began into the circumstances surrounding the fight and following inquiries, Richmond Police District officers issued a search warrant at a home on Lawrence Street, Tabulam, about 9.15am on Wednesday, January 19.

During the search, police seized prohibited drugs including 46 cannabis plants, 70g of Psilocybin mushrooms, 2.5kg of loose cannabis, $4830 in Australian currency, and a loaded .22 calibre firearm and ammunition.

A 35-year-old man was arrested and taken to Lismore Police Station where he was charged with:

possession of an unregistered firearm

not keeping the firearm safely

possessing ammunition without holding a licence/permit/authority

cultivation of a prohibited plant in a small quantity

enhanced indoor cultivation of a prohibited plant that was exposed to a child

being the owner/occupier and knowingly allowing use as drug premises

possession of a prohibited drug (x5)

possession of a schedule 9 substance

knowingly dealing with proceeds of crime

The man was refused bail and appeared before Lismore Local Court yesterday,  Thursday, January 20 where he was refused bail. He will attend the same court on Wednesday, March 16.