Court released photos of Raffaele Marrone’s drug dealing operation from family home

A Finks bikie had creative ways to hide his elaborate drug operation he was running from his family home, but not all the “meth” was what it seemed. See the photos.

A bikie who was dealing drugs from his family home was exposed after police found meth hidden in crafty places, court photos reveal.

CCTV footage exposed Raffaele Daniel Marrone’s elaborate operation but not all the “meth” was what it seemed.

Police searched Marrone’s Penfield Gardens home on June 4, 2020 and found methamphetamine in the bedhead of the bedroom.

They also found methamphetamine hidden in palm trees in the garden, as well as $11,000 in cash.

Police previously alleged a substance found in one of the children’s bedrooms was over 100g of methamphetamine – it turned out to be dimethyl sulfide, an ingredient used to make slime for a school experiment.

Marrone hid methamphetamine in the bedhead. Photo: Courts SA

He also hid drugs in palm trees outside. Photo: Courts SA

A large amount of cash was also found. Photo: Courts SA

Kimberley Ballans, for the prosecution, told the District Court in November Marrone, 44, continued to traffic drugs up until his second arrest on August 21, 2020.

The court heard police seized the CCTV footage and a hard drive with the footage showing six weeks prior.

“There were a number of people attending at the accused’s home address … showing that the accused was selling drugs on a regular basis,” Ms Ballans said.

Ms Ballans said it was clear Marrone was motivated by profit and he wasn’t only dealing to fund his own addiction.

“There were significant sums involved … it’s clear it was an ongoing commercial enterprise,” she said.

“The accused seems to be calling a number of shots to other persons in relation to drug trafficking and he seems to be directing a number of calls.”

The court heard Marrone had breached his home detention 15 times, with majority relating to positive urine samples.

The Virginia man pleaded guilty to multiple counts of drug trafficking and money laundering.

Raffaele Marrone pleaded guilty to multiple counts of drug trafficking. Photo: Facebook

A tick list found during the search. Photo: Courts SA

The drug trafficking charge against his wife, Tania Louise Marrone was dropped by the prosecution in June, 2021.

Craig Caldicott, for Marrone, told the court he was addicted to methamphetamine and had been using it as a crutch.

“Clearly that’s how he became involved with drug dealing,” Mr Caldicott said.

The court heard Marrone had seven children, with five still living at home.

Judge Rauf Soulio will sentence Marrone, who is in custody, next month.