Matthew Van Linh Burton denied bail, charged with drug trafficking after northern suburbs bust

An alleged drug dealer and his nurse girlfriend were arrested – alongside others – after a northern suburbs bust uncovered a hoard of drugs and thousands of dollars in cash.

A man is alleged to be the supplier to multiple men after a huge drug haul in a suburban home led to the arrest of him and his partner.

Matthew Van Linh Burton, 37, applied for home detention bail in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday, after a hoard of drugs and thousands of dollars in cash were seized by police.

A prosecutor told the court they were opposed to all forms of bail.

The court heard police attended a Salisbury Park address on November 2.

Police found a cannabis oil laboratory and about 2L of fantasy.

Items seized by police from the Salisbury Park home. Picture: SA Police

Items seized by police from the Salisbury Park home. Picture: SA Police

As a result, a 37-year-old man and a 43-year-old man, both from Salisbury Park, were arrested.

A 33-year-old Salisbury Park man was also charged with manufacturing a controlled drug.

“The accused arrived and knocked on the door, seemingly oblivious to the presence of police,” the prosecutor said.

Mr Burton was searched and police allegedly found 150g of methamphetamine, a fake driver’s licence and two mobile phones on him – which revealed drug dealing text messages.

They also searched his car and found $11,745 and a cyrovac bag containing 250g of methamphetamine.

About 400g of meth was seized. Picture: SA Police

About 400g of meth was seized. Picture: SA Police

Police also found $11,470 in a vehicle. Picture: SA Police

Magistrate Simon Smart asked if Mr Burton was the supplier (to the other men), to which the prosecutor replied “he may well be”.

Police then searched Mr Burton’s Salisbury North address and located buprenorphine strips, 5g of heroin and two cannabis plants being grown hydroponically.

The court heard Mr Burton’s long-term partner, Stephanie Watmore and three children were home during the search.

Mr Burton, of Salisbury North, is charged with multiple offences, including commercial drug trafficking and money laundering.

Ms Watmore is also charged with drug trafficking and will appear in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court later this month.

Stephanie Watmore and Matthew Burton are charged with drug trafficking. Photo: Facebook

Stephanie Watmore and Matthew Burton were charged after the search. Photo: Facebook

The court heard Mr Burton had previously been convicted of drug trafficking.

Ben Chehade, for Mr Burton, said they accepted the allegations were serious.

The court heard Mr Burton and Ms Watmore, who is a registered nurse, shared a child together, as well as two from previous relationships.

“His family’s finding it extremely difficult without him, of course that might be the consequence of finding himself in custody,” Mr Chehade said.

The court heard Mr Burton had work at a Vietnamese restaurant available to him if released on bail.

Mr Smart refused Mr Burton bail, citing the seriousness of the allegation and the risk of reoffending.

He will next appear in court in February.