Mother of accused drug trafficker Andrew John Benz is now a ‘person of interest’

The mother of a man accused of trafficking 50kg of meth valued at $25m is now a being investigated after police discovered the haul hidden in horse feed.

The mother of a man accused of trafficking 50kg of meth valued at an estimated $25m is now a “person of interest”, a court has heard.

Andrew John Benz, 45, appeared by video link in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of a controlled drug.

Benz and his co-accused were charged after the drugs were allegedly found in a truck at Port Wakefield on April 7 about 4.30am, while travelling between Western Australia and NSW.

Police claim packets of meth were hidden in horse feed. Two buckets of the drug in a crystalline form were also allegedly found.

50kg of methamphetamine was allegedly found by police Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

On Thursday, police prosecutor Brevet Sergeant Jones said they were opposed to any form of bail due to the seriousness of the offending, Benz’ “strong likelihood” of interfering with evidence and that he was a “flight risk”.

“There is a strong likelihood if he was released he could abscond… police don’t believe the accused resides permanently in South Australia, he’s an interstate truck driver,” Mr Jones said.

“With this amount of drugs… this may be part of an organised crime syndicate.”

His parents’ Salisbury Heights address was the subject of an initial home detention bail inquiry report.

Detective Chief Inspector Darren Fielke with 50kg of methamphetamine that was seized. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

However, the court heard there had been confusion about whether Benz lived there, with his father saying he didn’t but his mother said he said.

Police found no belongings at the address.

Officers then thought he might have belongings at a Greenwith address, where they allegedly found some of his personal items, a bed, prescription medication, money counters and other equipment which suggested he was “involved in trafficking drugs”.

However, when police went to the Greenwith address, a vehicle was then seen to be leaving the house with the defendant’s nephew inside.

The nephew allegedly told officers he got a “call from his nanna”, the defendant’s mother.

He was allegedly told to go and grab a laptop and a few mobile phones from the property, the court heard.

“Therefore there’s a strong influence this defendant’s mother could possibly be involved in the offending,” the prosecutor said.

“Given the suggestion she may be asking family members to remove what could be evidence.”

The haul was described as one of the “largest seizures in recent times” by police. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

When Magistrate Yoong Fee Chin asked if Benz’ mother was a person of interest, the prosecutor said “yes, your honour”.

Police also found tape, allegedly used to wrap the drugs and two money counting machines.

“This is a strong prosecution case,” he said, also mentioning 20kg of cannabis had been found during the bust.

Police also found CCTV footage of the defendant allegedly buying plastic wrapping sheets and sticky tape at a Bunnings store.

For Benz, Anthony Allan said it was “regrettable” the new information regarding his client’s mother had come to light for the first time in court.

“I would have hoped those controlling the investigation would comply with their obligations of disclosure,” Mr Allan said.

“That hasn’t occurred.”

Magistrate Chin sought another home detention bail inquiry report and Benz will next appear in Elizabeth Magistrates Court next week.