Dion Madden and Beau Cochrane pleaded guilty to drug and weapon charges after Magill bust

Several Nomad bikies were arrested after covert cameras uncovered a significant drug and weapons haul, with the president admitting he’s “fallen on his sword”.

A bikie president caught after a significant drug and weapons haul said he has “fallen on his sword” after realising a life of crime wasn’t what he wanted.

Beau James Cochrane, 31, and fellow Nomad bikie Dion Jay Madden’s crimes were exposed after covert cameras and listening devices were set up by police.

Thousands of dollars worth of heroin and meth were taken off the streets, as well as 11 firearms, five vehicles, four Harley Davidson motorcycles and a jetski after seven properties were searched in Adelaide’s north and east on April 23, last year.

The drugs found during the property raids last year. Picture: SA Police

Members of Nomads outlaw motorcycle gang were arrested and charged after the raids. Picture: SA Police

Five vehicles, as well as four Harley Davidson motorcycles and a jet ski, were seized in the raids. Picture: SA Police

The Nomads were put under the spotlight during Operation Leo, an investigation that began in December, 2020.

15,000 telephone recordings were intercepted from a shed at a Magill address after police set up a covert camera and listening device.

A prosecutor told the District Court on Wednesday police found 720g of “very high purity” methamphetamine, valued between $112,000 and $130,000 if sold in ounces.

They also found 702g of heroin – valued between $150,000 and $175,000 if sold in ounces – and 83.5g of methamphetamine and $9600 secreted in a car used by Cochrane.

The court heard text messages between Cochrane, who was a chapter president of the Nomads at the time, and his subordinate Brayden Hunter showed the offending had been occurring for at least six months prior to his arrest.

Hunter, who pleaded guilty to drug trafficking, was sentenced in August to two years and five months jail, with a non-parole period of one year and one month.

Brayden Hunter avoided jail for drug trafficking for the Nomad bikies. Photo: Facebook

Due to Hunter’s rehabilitation efforts, Judge Liesl Kudelka suspended the sentence on a three-year good behaviour bond.

Cochrane, of Highbury, and Madden, 41, of Glynde, pleaded guilty to trafficking commercial amounts of heroin and methamphetamine, as well as laundering $27,200, for the benefit of a criminal organisation.

Dion Madden. Photo: Facebook

Cochrane also pleaded guilty to possessing 11 firearms without a licence, including two pistols, six rifles and three shotguns for the benefit of a criminal organisation.

Cochrane, who is one of the 613 South Australians on a firearms prohibition order, breached his bail by possessing the firearms.

He had his ban imposed on November 29, 2020.

The men’s co-accused, Adam Robert Fennell, 48, of Payneham, pleaded not guilty to all charges in February and will face trial next year.

Adam Fennell. Photo: Facebook

David Edwardson KC, for Cochrane, told the court his client had been involved with a number of bikie gangs – including the New Boys, Rock Machine and Nomads.

“His life in crime, almost without question, is a direct relationship between him and his association with different organised crime groups,” he said.

Mr Edwardson told the court he had since severed ties with any groups and put that life behind him.

The court heard Cochrane, a qualified spray painter, had “fallen on his sword” and recognised why he had to change.

Judge Kudelka adjourned Madden’s sentencing submissions until February, to await the return of a psychological report.