Brendon Kiet Bui faces court on drug trafficking, money laundering charges

A drug bust at Ridleyton allegedly uncovered “a big bag of cannabis” and $45,000 stuffed in a pillow case – but the 24-year-old man accused has denied ownership.

Cannabis allegedly located in Ridleyton. Picture: SAPOL

A Ridleyton man charged with drug trafficking and money laundering has denied ownership of the $45,000 cash and 24kg of cannabis allegedly found at his residence.

On Saturday March 13, detectives searched a Monmouth Street home in Ridleyton and allegedly located over $45,000 cash and 24kg of cannabis.

Brendon Kiet Bui, 24, was arrested and charged with trafficking in a controlled substance and money laundering.

Cash allegedly located in Ridleyton. Picture: SAPOL

A 21-year-old Ridleyton woman was also arrested on the same charges.

The man was refused bail and appeared in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court via video-link on Wednesday.

Bui’s co-accused was bailed to appear in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court next month.

In court on Wednesday, Magistrate Jayanthi McGrath questioned why Bui was refused bail, while his co-accused was not.

A police prosecutor said the woman had no criminal history and ties to South Australia, while Bui was considered a potential flight risk, owing to connections in Western Australia and New South Wales and the fact he owned property in the former.

“The main bedroom in the (Ridleyton) house had items linking both parties,” the police prosecutor said.

“The cannabis wasn’t found in that bedroom – it was found in the spare bedroom, which didn’t have any connections to anyone – it was just a spare room.

“The door (to the room) was slightly ajar and just by looking through the door, it was in plain sight – a big bag of cannabis.”

The police prosecutor said the cash was located within a pillow case in the spare room.

A lawyer for Bui said his client did not deny residing at the address, but that the room where the cannabis and cash was found was not being used by him.

The lawyer applied for bail for Bui, saying he had owned the WA property since he was 19 years old and had taken steps to sell the property.

“He doesn’t have a passport, it was stolen some years ago,” the lawyer said.

“He has significant ties to this state. He has every incentive to stay in this state.

“He plans to contest the charges. Despite items being found in the house he resides in, we maintain there’s some query in relation to possession.”

Magistrate McGrath said she was not persuaded to grant any form of bail.

The case will head to the Adelaide Magistrates Court for a charge determination in July.