Walker Flat locals, family ‘shattered’ by discovery of SA’s largest clandestine drug lab
THE discovery of the state’s largest clandestine drugs laboratory along the Murray River has devastated locals, who now fear a “druggie” stigma, a court has heard.
THE discovery of the state’s largest clandestine drugs laboratory along the Murray River has devastated locals, who now fear a “druggie” stigma, a court has heard.
Residents of Walker Flat, 115km east of Adelaide in the Murraylands, have laid bare their trauma over the $50 million illicit operation’s negative impacts and say the local water system could have been polluted.
Their “community impact” submission revealed how locals were “looked on as druggies” while raising fears “extremely hazardous” and corrosive material could have been dumped in the adjacent Murray River.
The District Court heard on Thursday how the family of one charged man were left “shattered” by his “betrayal” after he built the clandestine lab on their property.
Serious and Organised Crime Branch detectives last year charged three men over the drug haul, which uncovered more than 190,000 ecstasy — or MDMA — and NBOMe pills, a commercial pill press and precursor chemicals capable of making almost $50 million worth of methamphetamine.
Anton Pasquale Gerardis, 31, of Angle Vale, in the northern suburbs, and Amedeo Macchiavelli, 34, are both facing jail after they pleaded guilty to their role in the lab, which was discovered in February 2014.
On the eve of their trial last year, Macchiavelli, of Eastwood, admitted two counts of trafficking in a large quantity of a controlled drug and a further trafficking in a commercial amount charge.
Gerardis, whose grandfather owned the property and two-storey shack for 18 years, admitted to two charges of trafficking in a commercial quantity of drugs and a further manufacturing charge.
They face maximum penalties of life behind bars or a $500,000 fine. Charges linked to participating in a criminal organisation were dropped.
Another Glenelg East man, 29, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has denied drugs-related charges and will face trial in May. No prosecution details have been aired in court.
During Gerardis’ sentencing submissions hearing on Thursday, the SA Victims’ Rights Commissioner Michael O’Connell read the eight-page community statement to the court.
It revealed how Gerardis’ family had a “sense of disbelief followed by an awakening, a realisation that a horrible nightmare was true”, adding: “How they asked, could someone known to them betray them?”
They remain distressed, query the meaning of life and have struggled to sell the property for three years, the court heard.
The devastated township was viewed as “druggies” while locals were suspicious of their neighbours.
Mr O’Connell also revealed “social ramifications” including a risk of “toxic fume inhalation, chemical burns, fires and explosions”.
“We do not truly know whether contamination happened but the court should not ignore the potential hazard the offenders’ offences presented for the people of South Australia,” it read.
Judge Rauf Soulio remanded Gerardis on continuing bail to face court again in June. He refused to comment outside court.
Macchiavelli will face court next month.