Brenton Sims, Robert Spencer and Umar Ubrahim sentenced for ‘sub dealer’ roles in southern suburbs drug syndicate

Three “sub dealers” who entangled themselves in a sophisticated southern suburbs drug syndicate have been sentenced, with only one escaping jail.

Three “sub dealers” have been sentenced for their roles in a now jailed drug lord’s syndicate, after police seized several kilograms of methamphetamine.

Brenton Robin Sims, 54, Robert Spencer, 65, and Umar Ali Ubrahim, 40, all had different reasons for dealing – including addiction, loneliness and to pay back a drug debt.

Serious and organised crime branch police arrested multiple men on November 24 and 25, 2021 as part of an investigation into drug distribution across Adelaide’s southern suburbs.

During a search, police allegedly discovered $155,000 in cash, 40 grams of methamphetamine, two cars and three motorcycles.

A search at properties in Sellicks Beach, Modbury North, Windsor Gardens and Holden Hill allegedly led to discoveries of more methamphetamine, 100 grams of cocaine, five kilograms of pseudoephedrine, one kilogram of iodine, two litres of hypo-phosphorous acid and a clandestine lab.

Cash seized by police after the raid in Adelaide’s south. Picture: SA Police

Drugs seized by police during the bust in the southern suburbs. Picture: SA Police

Drug trafficking syndicate in the southern suburbs collapsed by police. Picture: SA Police

“As part of the investigation police used telephone intercepts and conducted surveillance which led to the arrest of Blake Thompson,” Judge Joanne Tracey said during sentencing.

Thompson, 36, of Aldinga Beach, was sentenced for 89 counts of drug trafficking and one count of money laundering in the District Court in November.

He was jailed for 13 years and three months, with a non-parole period of ten years and seven months.

The District Court heard Ubrahim and Sims regularly purchased ounces of mixed methamphetamine from Thompson to onsell to customers.

Brenton Sims was jailed for over five years for his role. Picture: Facebook

During sentencing submissions in March, the court heard Spencer was a lonely man who was seemingly taken advantage of.

“Your role in the enterprise was to package drugs to distribute to sub dealers and receive cash which you packaged and returned to Mr Thompson,” Judge Tracey said.

“You say you became involved in drug trafficking through your son’s associates, with your house being used as a stash house.”

Spencer, of Huntfield Heights, pleaded guilty to one count of drug trafficking, Sims, of Old Noarlunga, pleaded guilty to five counts and Ubrahim, of Sellicks Beach, pleaded guilty to eight counts.

The court heard Ubrahim made no profit from his role in the operation and was dealing drugs to pay back another person’s $80,000 drug debt to Thompson.

The court heard Sims became a methamphetamine addict after a serious motorcycle accident but said his arrest saved his life and was now no longer using drugs.

Judge Tracey sentenced Ubrahim to six years jail, with a non-parole period of four years and four months.

The sentence was backdated to June 21, 2022.

Sims was sentenced to five years and 10 months, with a non-parole period of four years and eight months.

Spencer was sentenced to two years and six months jail, with a non-parole period of 17 months.

However, due to Spencer’s lack of criminal history and medical issues, he was ordered to serve the sentence on home detention.