Former Casella Wines director Marcello Casella will stand trial this month over charges relating to a multimillion-dollar cannabis crop allegedly found near Young in 2014.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mr Casella’s case will go to trial with co-accused Andre Turner and Francesco Polimeni in mid-April. A spokeswoman for the District Court confirmed Mr Casella is yet to submit a formal plea.
The accused men were charged after police allegedly discovered around 2750 cannabis plants with an estimated street value of $5 million on a property near Young.
Mr Casella faces charges of knowingly taking part in cultivating a large quantity prohibited plants and participating in criminal group contributing to criminal activity.
RELATED:
Two of the men’s co-accused – Pasquale Sergi and Saverio Ciampa – were sentenced in to 19 months imprisonment with a non-parole period of 10 months back in 2015.
Mr Casella and his brothers rose to prominence as Griffith winemakers. Yellow Tail Wines has become one of Australia’s largest wine exports to the United States in recent years.
He has since parted ways with the company.
Mr Casella’s case appeared before the court with his co-accused for a readiness hearing in February.
Casella Family Brands distanced themselves from Mr Casella in a statement back in 2014.
"Mr Marcello Casella resigned as a director of Casella Family Brands earlier this year. Therefore this matter is entirely unrelated to the company or any of its associated brands.”
Mr Casella, Mr Turner and Mr Polimeni are slated to stand trial in the Sydney Downing Centre on April 16.
