Raffaele Marrone pleaded guilty to running drug dealing operation from family home

A Fink who was “calling the shots” in a drug enterprise has begged for less jail time, saying he’s left the club after two decades and wants to get his tatts removed.

A bikie dealing drugs from his family home has begged for less jail time, despite “calling the shots” in the elaborate operation.

Raffaele Daniel Marrone, 45, told the District Court on Tuesday he has since left the Finks motorcycle gang after being a loyal member for more than two decades.

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

They also found meth 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

Craig Caldicott, for Marrone, argued there were exceptional circumstances to not sentence Marrone as a serious repeat offender, which would mean he would serve a non-parole period of four-fifths of the head sentence.

Mr Caldicott said Marrone remained extremely concerned about his wife who had serious mental health issues and he was no longer a member of the Finks.

Mr Caldicott said Marrone and approximately 10-15 other members left the club at the one time.

“The last step for him to be no longer involved is to have his tattoos removed,” he said.

“He did ask whilst in custody for that to occur but they are not that accommodating in that regard.”

Kimberley Ballans, for the prosecution, told the court they didn’t believe exceptional circumstances had been made out and it was clear Marrone had been motivated by profit.

“Whilst it’s accepted that he was a user of the drug, the sums on the tick list located by police had figures as high as $48,000,” she said.

“He was clearly in charge of the operation, calling all of the shots, and that’s clear from the telephone intercepts between March and June 2020.

“In many of the phone calls the accused is chasing money that’s owed to him. He has people chasing money for him.”

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

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

Ms Ballans said Marrone had people retrieving cars, superannuation or money from customers on behalf of him to pay debts owed.

“In other phone calls he’s explaining that he’s holding multiple ounces of methamphetamines and will sell those for $4500,” she said. “So the offending in that period was prolific.

“On one day, being May 6, 2020 the accused had four different vehicles arrive at his address and purchase methamphetamine and that’s captured on CCTV from his address.”

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

Ms Ballans said Marrone continued to offend while on bail and considering he had been a member of the club for more than two decades his dedication to leaving would likely only become clear upon his release from custody,

Judge Rauf Soulio reserved his decision and will sentence Marrone in December.