‘Mad to get back in the game’: Alleged drug empire ‘treasurer’ freed

He was arrested as part of police seizure of 200kg of drugs and a Lambo and he was charged with laundering $1.3m, now the alleged “treasurer” of the drug enterprise has had a lucky break.

The popular gym, fitness and barber owner charged over a huge alleged drug syndicate originating out of Adelaide and spanning three states was “the treasurer” of the operation, a court has heard.

The details were heard in the state’s Supreme Court, where Matthew James Newall was applying to be released on home detention bail after failing to secure that release in the lower courts last month.

A police prosecutor told Justice Kevin Nicholson Mr Newall had been outlined as part of the police investigation as the alleged money man who would receive cash to his home and then pay cannabis growers and other members of the syndicate.

The court heard Mr Newall, who is accused of laundering more than $1.3m through mail delivered to his North Haven waterfront home, would allegedly receive the money and then distribute it to the houses after stopping at hydroponics and hardware stores.

“(Mr Newall’s) role is that of ‘the treasurer’ and the South Australian based coordinator of grow (by) houses arranging finance for (others),” the prosecutor said.

Matt Newall applied for a review of his bail. Picture: Facebook

“He’d attend at grow houses sometimes via hydroponics stores or Bunnings and on the prosecution’s case this was to purchase items consistent with harvesting cannabis such as drop sheets, coveralls, gloves and on occasion seen handing over small packages.”

The court heard, across several police raids last month, almost 200 kilograms of dried cannabis was seized including 189 kilograms from one Golden Grove home.

During those raids, the court heard, $300,000 cash was seized from Mr Newall’s home.

Mr Newall is the sole alleged syndicate member still on remand in prison after the other seven accused over the drug plot were released on either home detention or police bail.

Mr Newall is charged with 30 counts of money laundering and three each of cultivating a controlled plant and trafficking a commercial quantity of a controlled drug.

Mr Newall was also alleged to have grown nine cannabis plants in a Paralowie house, cultivating drugs at Paralowie, Highbury and Redwood Park, and trafficking a large commercial quantity of cannabis at North Haven and Golden Grove..

The court heard he had prior convictions for drug offending, including supplying cannabis in a commercial quantity over the Queensland border in 2016 and cultivating cannabis in 2012.

The prosecutor told the court police would allege the latest charges meant Mr Newall’s “involvement got deeper and deeper each time”.

Two of the other men arrested over the bust, Gawler East man Nicholas Rehmann and Golden Grove man Steven Jadon were granted home detention bail in December.

Nick Rehmann was one of eight people arrested. Picture: Facebook

Steven Jadon was one of eight people arrested. Picture: TikTok

A Lamborghini seized as part of the investigation. Picture: SAPOL

A Mercedes seized as part of the investigation. Picture: SAPOL

Mr Newall and Mr Rehmann are business partner’s in the popular Lagers and Barbers hair cutting chain and Mr Newall is a now-former director of Recovery Hub, after his business partner recently cut him loose.

Alongside the drugs and cash, police seized luxury cars including a Lamborghini, Jaguar and Mercedes G-Wagon.

The remaining four men and one woman allegedly involved in the syndicate will face court later this year.

Michael Abbott KC, for Mr Newall, said the prosecution’s case meant his client would not be classified as “any level higher than a courier or mid-range”.

He said despite Mr Newall being accused of laundering the alleged syndicate’s income, the court could find the money was actually payment for each of the “growers”.

“There is no unexplained wealth … the money did not go into his bank account,” he said.

Mr Abbott said his prior convictions came as a result of the “lure of easy money”.

Justice Nicholson granted Mr Newall bail saying he would be “mad to get back into the game” while on home detention.