April 7, 2016
Three men have been charged over the alleged theft of more than $100,000 worth of cattle following a joint investigation by specialist rural-crime detectives in NSW and Queensland.
Police will allege the 72 head of cattle were stolen from a property in Cunnamulla on Wednesday, November 18.
The cattle were then allegedly transported to a property in the Harden area of NSW, where they were subsequently sold.
The matter has been under investigation by the NSW Police Rural Crime Unit and Queensland Stock and Rural Crime Investigation Squad (SARCIS).
A search warrant was executed at a Harden property on December 16.
After conducting a muster of the property, 72 head of cattle – valued at $115,200 – were seized as exhibits.
It will be alleged these were the cattle stolen from the Queensland property. The animals have since been returned to their owner.
After further investigations, a 41-year-old Harden man, a 62-year-old Jugiong man and a 37-year-old former Harden man have been charged with offences relating to disposal and receiving of stolen cattle; dealing with the proceeds of crime; and a range of offences under the Stock Diseases Act and Local Land Services Act.
The men will appear in Cootamundra Court on May 2.
Police investigations are continuing.
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Meanwhile, SARCIS police in Kingaroy are investigating the alleged theft of Wagyu cattle from a property in the Kumbia area.
A local producer reported the theft of nine cows and calves from his property earlier this year.
Anyone with information about the matter is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800-333-000 or Kingaroy SARCIS on (07) 4160-4900.
