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Chad Modra, his mother Carolyn and father Ricky face court after drugs and money found in their Morphett Vale home

A man accused of possessing half a kilo of meth and a hidden cash stash has indicated he will plead guilty to trafficking, as his co-accused mum and dad apply for bail.

Brutal murders linked, police say (7NEWS)

A man arrested as part of an investigation into suspected murders and wide-scale drug trafficking in the southern suburbs “plans to plead guilty” to charges of drug trafficking and money laundering, he has told a court.

Chad Modra, 38, appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday along with his parents Carolyn, 62, and Ricky, 59.

The trio were arrested at a Morphett Vale property on Saturday after police raided the house as part of Task Force Southern.

During a dig in the backyard, police located 616g of methamphetamine hidden in polypipe.

In another container police found $50,870 in cash.

On Monday, Magistrate Clive Kitchin heard the trio had all been on bail for similar offending.

On September 2, 2021 STAR Group officers raided the same Morphett Vale home and located two containers of fantasy, 135 suboxone strips and $52,000 in cash.

During a brief court hearing Sean Nottle, for Chad Modra, did not apply bail and asked for a shorter than normal adjournment.

Chad Modra and his parents were arrested charged with possessing half a kilo of methamphetamine and more than $50,000 in cash. Picture: Facebook.
Chad Modra and his parents were arrested charged with possessing half a kilo of methamphetamine and more than $50,000 in cash. Picture: Facebook.

Appearing from the Covid positive suite at the Adelaide Watch House, Chad Modra said: “I plan to plead guilty”.

The case against Chad Modra was put off until early February when he is expected to enter guilty pleas to preserve the largest possible discount on the sentence.

Jessica Kurtzer, for both Carolyn and Ricky Modra, said the question of whether her clients possessed the drugs at any time was likely to be contested.

Ricky Modra applied for home detention bail but was refused because he was on bail at the time of the offending.

He will appear in court again in February at the same time as his son.

Mr Kitchin ordered a home detention report for Carolyn Modra after being the told the prosecution did not oppose home detention bail.

She will appear in court again next week.

Three people have faced court after detectives allegedly uncovered drugs and cash buried in the backyard of their Morphett Vale property. Picture: SA Police.
Three people have faced court after detectives allegedly uncovered drugs and cash buried in the backyard of their Morphett Vale property. Picture: SA Police.

During the Saturday raid, jewellery and an e-bike were also seized. Police allege the items were the proceeds of crime.

More than $50,000 was allegedly found buried at the Morphett Vale property. Picture: SA Police.
More than $50,000 was allegedly found buried at the Morphett Vale property. Picture: SA Police.
The raid was part of Task Force Southern. Picture: SA Police.
The raid was part of Task Force Southern. Picture: SA Police.

The raid was part of Task Force Southern, a targeted police investigation involving 42 detectives assessing three brutal murders in Adelaide’s south.

The team is also investigating other violence and crimes in the southern suburbs.

Robert Atkins, 31, was held captive and tortured for up to a week before he was moved and eventually murdered in Port Pirie, police say. His body has not been found.

Trevor King’s body was found in West Lakes in January 2020 and was originally treated as a suicide.

It has since been revealed the 41-year-old was tortured with a blow torch and his hands were smashed.

Jeff Mundy, 36, was last seen in CCTV footage at a chemist on December 19, 2020. There is no evidence consistent with him being alive and his body has not been located.

All involve victims and suspects believed to have been associated with the methamphetamine scene. Police say there are up to 15 offenders and are re-examining a number of drug overdoses in the southern suburbs that could potentially be additional victims.

A $600,000 reward was announced last month in a bid to encourage anyone with information on the three murders to come forward.

Anyone who provides information that would lead to a murder conviction of Mr King, Mr Atkins or Mr Mundy would be awarded $200,000 – or $600,000 if all murders were solved.

Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/task-force-southern-development-police-allegedly-find-meth-cash-found-buried-in-poly-pipe-at-morphett-vale/news-story/894e6e783bc94061ca142c26588fd897