Brandon John Verban pleads not guilty to drug trafficking and money laundering charges

A man with Comanchero bikie links who was allegedly busted with a significant meth stash in a fast food carpark claims the $73,000 found at his home were gambling wins.

A man has denied making illegal fast food runs after he was allegedly caught with significant amounts of methamphetamine, only months apart.

Brandon John Verban, 28, pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking and money laundering in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Thursday.

During Verban’s bail application in October, the court heard police searched Verban’s house on March 24.

Brandon Verban pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking and money laundering. Picture: Facebook

“Police attended at a rental premises that he was residing at and located 34g of suspected methamphetamine and $73,600 in cash,” the prosecutor said.

The court heard Verban told police that the cash was from gambling wins.

“He did admit to police that he was an ice user and those drugs were intended for his own use,” the prosecutor said.

The prosecutor said they were determining whether that was a plausible explanation considering it was a “significant” quantity of drugs.

Police also analysed Verban’s mobile phone.

“It is alleged that the defendant has connections with outlaw motorcycle gangs, being the Comancheros,” the prosecutor said.

The court heard police found messages between Verban and Comanchero members but they weren’t in regards to drug activity.

Verban was then stopped by police on May 20 in the West Lakes McDonald’s carpark.

“(Police) search the vehicle and locate 134g of substance containing suspected methamphetamine,” the prosecutor said.

In the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Thursday, Magistrate Michelle Sutcliffe adjourned the charges to the Adelaide District Court in May for arraignment.