Local drug ring uncovered as nine alleged drug dealers across CBD, Eyre Peninsula now linked in court

Nine alleged drug dealers are now facing court together as investigations claim to have uncovered a drug ring spanning across the state and hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Nine separate alleged drug dealers will now have their legal proceedings combined in a new twist in a bust involving more than $300,000 in cash, cocaine, methamphetamine, ecstasy and MDMA.

On Wednesday, the Adelaide Magistrates Court heard the eight men and one woman previously charged separately for a range of drug trafficking offences were going to be jointly charged in a new legal development.

“The director (of public prosecution) has made charge determination … (the DPP) will take conduct of the matter, once fresh information is laid we will be seeking all the defendants previous informations be withdrawn,” prosecutors told the court.

Gilles Plains man Frank Migliarese, 46, is one of the nine alleged drug dealers involved in the drug operation. Picture: Facebook

A SAPOL operation had arrested the nine accused dealers between December 2023 and April 2024 after numerous searches of homes, businesses and cars across the state.

The accused are Scott Roy Fahy, 49 of Modbury North, Duane Barry Wade, 57 of Whyalla Sturt, Matthew Peter Ryan, 49 of Sellicks Hill, Jade Elizabeth Currie, 38 of Kilburn, James Charles Bray, 75 of Welland, Frank Migliarese, 46 of Gilles Plains, Roberto Luigi Rillotta, 45 of Beaumont, Andrew David Lee, 45 of Craigmore, and Ezeddinn Minaoui, 40 of Manningham.

All nine are charged with a minimum of one count of trafficking in a commercial quantity of a controlled substance while Mr Bray, Mr Migliarese, Mr Ryan, Mr Fahy are also facing money laundering charges.

Following arrests in April, SAPOL officers seized more than $300,000 in cash, five vehicles, a motorbike and a firearm.

The nine arrests saw more than $300,000 seized in cash, often in large bill denominations. Picture: SA Police

The investigation allegedly uncovered more than 3.2kg of methamphetamine, 3L of meth oil, 32g and 4000 tablets of MDMA, half a kilo of cocaine and 4000 ecstasy tablets.

During previous court hearings, it was alleged Mr Migliarese, a father of three, was involved through his organising the transport of a 3kg block of methamphetamine, 14g of cocaine and 4000 MDMA pills.

Mr Migliarese was arrested following a Tailem Bend traffic stop and also allegedly found $35,000 in $50 denominations in parcels located inside suitcases.

It is alleged that a further $87,000 and more illicit substances and related equipment were found at his Prospect business.

More than 3kg of methamphetamine was located in homes, businesses and cars across the state. Picture: SA Police

More than half a kilo of cocaine was seized across the nine arrests. Picture: SA Police

Mr Fahy was allegedly arrested at his Modbury North property after he was forensically linked to a large volume of drugs located in December 2023 during a separate arrest, and a search of his property uncovered more drugs.

Officers allegedly found “large amounts of drugs” – namely approximately 528.5g of cocaine, 131.6g of methamphetamine and 32.25g of MDMA.

Prosecution also alleged $162,860 in cash was found in bags – including one allegedly found in a wardrobe – in primarily $100 notes.

Defence counsel for each party made no objection to the adjournment.

Magistrate Justin Wickins adjourned the matter for a week for the paperwork to reflect the new connected charges and the group will return to court again next week.