Soniard Mrishaj, Ilirjan Kolaj and David Rickerby granted bail after $1.6m of cocaine, $500k seized

Two men allegedly attempted to flee with 4kg of cocaine after a “suspicious package” was intercepted in a drug sting, as well as over $500,000 in cash.

Three men who were charged after a “suspicious package” containing $1.6m of cocaine was intercepted and replaced with an inert substance have been released on bail.

Soniard Mrishaj, Ilirjan Kolaj and David John Thomas Rickerby were granted home detention bail in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Friday, after a drug sting in Adelaide’s west and northeast.

Cocaine with an estimated street value of $1.6 million seized by police in a western suburbs drug sting. Picture: SA Police

Mr Mrishaj, 37, of Findon, Mr Kolaj, 28, of Seaton and Mr Rickerby, 24, of Broadview, are yet to plead to attempting to traffic a large commercial quantity of controlled drugs.

Mr Mrishaj and Mr Kolaj are also charged with money laundering.

The charges arise from a joint investigation by Australian Border Force and SA Police’s Serious and Organised Crime Branch.

On Thursday last week, investigators intercepted the “suspicious package” containing 4kg of cocaine – with an estimated $1.6m street value, the court heard.

David Rickerby was granted home detention bail for commercial drug trafficking. Picture: Facebook

“They removed the drugs and put in an inert substance and it was delivered to an address ... listed to David Rickerby,” a prosecutor told the court.

The court heard police then allegedly observed Mr Rickerby handing the assignment to Mr Mrishaj and Mr Kolaj who took the package to a Fulham Gardens address.

“Police entered into that address to arrest Mrishaj and Kolaj,” the prosecutor said.

“They attempted to flee with the inert substance.”

During a search of the property, police found $504,000 cash in various places, including in the oven, built-in wardrobe and in the floor.

After searching other properties in the western and northeastern suburbs police also seized four vehicles and two motorcycles.

Half a million dollars of cash seized by police in a western suburbs drug sting. Picture: SA Police.

In the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Friday, a prosecutor said she was opposed to Mr Mrishaj as the address nominated for his bail was one involved in the allegations.

“It was the one where the accused Mrishaj and Kolaj were seen taking the consignment,” the prosecutor said.

“A search was done on that address and over a million dollars in cash was located.”

Magistrate Karim Soetratma granted the men home detention bail, with conditions not to speak to their co-accused and to have no devices with internet access.

“So anyone who gets caught with an extra smart phone is probably going back in,” he said.

The charges were adjourned until June.