Two men will remain behind bars for at least another two months in the wake of their arrest after police allegedly found 2.2 kilograms of heroin with a street value of more than $1 million in a car north of Albury.
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Ryan Christopher Lotho, 31, and Lawrence Francis Gonzales, 33, did not apply for bail and so it was formally refused when they briefly appeared in the Albury Local Court dock on Wednesday morning.
The men face serious and strictly indictable charges of supply a prohibited drug not less than a commercial quantity, along with possessing a prohibited drug.
They did not enter any pleas to the charges. The Sydney men's next appearance, via a video link, will be in the same court for a brief status committal on September 24.
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Lotho, police claim, was driving the Subaru they pulled over in the southbound lanes of the Hume Highway near Holbrook on Tuesday just before 2.30pm.
They spoke to Lotho, from Greystanes, and then his passenger, Gonzales, of Fairfield, before deciding to carry out a search of their car.
It was during this search that police claim they found six packages of heroin with a total weight of 2.2 kilograms.
The drugs, police alleged, were found in a hidden compartment of the boot.
With that the men were arrested and taken to Albury police station, where they were charged and held bail refused for Wednesday's mention.
But their apprehension is not the end of matter, as police said their investigations - they also seized several mobile phones for forensic analysis - were continuing.
Murray River Police District crime manager Detective Inspector Winston Woodward praised the officers involved in Tuesday's seizure and arrests.
"Traffic and Highway Patrol Command officers are not only trained to reduce road trauma but are also trained in techniques that can lead to the detection of drugs and other contraband," Inspector Woodward said.
"The effects of heroin and all illicit drugs have devastating impacts on regional communities and this seizure means less drugs on our streets."
Inspector Woodward said he reiterated his appeal "to all members of the community" to provide information to police in relation to suspected drug suppliers.
"Your information will be treated in confidence and acted upon," he said.
