Alleged AN0M criminals return to Adelaide court for bail hearings after SA Police Operation Ironside 3.0 raids
Another Operation Ironside accused – a scholarship student allegedly involved in “serious and sustained” drug trafficking – has been granted freedom.
South Australians charged after a historic AN0M sting continue to move through the courts, with nearly 20 more set to plead for freedom and learn their fate on Monday.
In late October a total of 55 people were arrested after SA Police dawn raids in a statewide Operation Ironside sting.
From former SANFL rising stars to business owners and junior sports coaches, South Australians well-known in their communities were among dozens of people caught up in the latest Operation Ironside bust.
Nine of those made their second appearance on Thursday in desperate pleas to return to their families – and jobs – on strict home detention bail conditions.
This week, more of the accused faced court again for their bail hearings.
Here’s what happened:
Man – suppressed
A man, whose identity is suppressed, has yet to plead to 50 counts of trafficking in both a commercial and a large commercial quantity of a controlled drug.
Defence counsel for the man made an application for home detention bail on Monday - submitting to the court that his client posed “no risk of absconding” if he were to be released.
Prosecution said it was opposed to all forms of bail.
On Wednesday, Magistrate Lynette Duncan released the man on home detention bail with a $50,000 guarantee.
Stefan Gawlik – Torrens Park
A man allegedly involved in “sustained” trafficking has been given freedom after $20,000 in cash surety was offered to the court.
Stefan Jozef Duncan Gawlik, 34, was granted home detention bail in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
Mr Gawlik, of Torrens Park, is charged with multiple counts of drug trafficking, including large commercial drug trafficking.
Last week, prosecutors remained opposed to all forms of bail in relation to Mr Gawlik, alleging he was participating in the “serious and sustained” trafficking of drugs through the use of the AN0M app.
The former Riviera Bakery employee was allegedly using two AN0M devices – and sending on the app photos and information that “only he would have known”.
David Edwardson KC, for Mr Gawlik, submitted his client was a “dedicated and hard-working individual”.
It was further submitted Mr Gawlik was the recipient of a Wyndham Scholarship, and had just six to eight weeks left of study for a certificate 4 in surveying.
On Tuesday, Magistrate John Clover noted it was likely the charges would result in a significant immediate jail term if Mr Gawlik was convicted but said electronic monitoring mitigated the risk of him absconding to a degree.
He granted Mr Gawlik home detention bail after ordering he pay $20,000 cash surety to the court and banned him from having a smartphone.
Terry Bunker – Angle Vale
The alleged “general manager” of an criminal syndicate involving millions of dollars of cannabis has been granted bail.
Terry James Bunker was granted home detention bail in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday after he was allegedly involved in “high-level, organised crime”.
The 43-year-old from Angle Vale, is charged with six counts of trafficking in a large commercial quantity of a controlled drug.
He is further charged with one count of knowingly engaging in money laundering.
A prosecutor told the court they were opposed to bail as Mr Bunker was allegedly the “general manager” of this particular drug syndicate, involving cannabis and cocaine.
The court heard the offending allegedly involved interstate drug runs, involving cannabis in excess of 400 pounds – worth millions in turnover – and on at least one occasion 5kg of cocaine and $110,000.
Counsel, for Mr Bunker, told the court his client owned his own home, was employed and two of his three children were living with him.
“He’s got no priors whatsoever,” his counsel said.
Magistrate Ben Sale noted the allegations were “extraordinarily serious” but said due to Mr Bunker’s strong ties to the state and no criminal history, he was prepared to grant him bail.
John Stevenson – Dublin
A new father who allegedly trafficked a “frankly staggering” amount of cannabis for an interstate drug ring while working as a truck driver has been granted bail.
John Stephen Stevenson was granted home detention bail on Monday, despite the court hearing the cannabis was valued “in the millions”.
Mr Stevenson, 29, of Dublin, is charged with three counts of trafficking in a large commercial quantity of a controlled drug. He has not entered any pleas.
The court heard he is already on parole for prior offending – the details of which are suppressed.
A prosecutor told the court they were opposed to bail, saying the alleged offending related to an interstate drug route, where Mr Stevenson carried the cargo in his truck.
“The amount of cannabis was frankly staggering,” the prosecutor said
The court heard the charges related to 404, 447 and just shy of 510 pounds of cannabis, with the value “in the millions”.
The prosecutor said the offending was allegedly facilitated by a suppressed man, Terry Bunker, Harley Poulton and a second driver, Adam Hayter.
They all face multiple charges of trafficking a commercial quantity of a controlled drug.
Mr Stevenson was allegedly linked to the offending by Snapchat photos which identified him as the driver, the court heard.
Sam McDonough, for Mr Stevenson, said his client’s alleged offending was of a “past life” and he had a nine-month-old child, with another on the way.
“His rehabilitation was continuing about as well as anyone can expect it to,” he said.
Magistrate Ben Sale granted Mr Stevenson home detention bail and adjourned the charges until later this month.
Adam Hayter – Yankalilla
Adam Paul Hayter, 31, of Yankalilla, was granted home detention bail without opposition from prosecutors.
The court heard that, while Mr Hayter was arrested as part of the AN0M raids, he “is not alleged to be a user of an AN0M device”.
He has yet to plead to drug-trafficking charges, and is alleged to have been involved in offending alongside other arrested men including John Stephen Stevenson.
Magistrate Ben Sale remanded Mr Hayter on $5000 electronically-monitored home detention bail to face court again in February.
Harley Poulton – Munno Para West
A business owner allegedly doing the “dirty work” for a significant cannabis syndicate has been granted freedom.
Harley Poulton was granted home detention bail on Monday, after he allegedly played a key role trafficking “just over a tonne” of cannabis.
Mr Poulton, 33, of Munno Para West, is charged with five counts of trafficking in a large commercial quantity of a controlled drug.
The court heard Mr Poulton was allegedly “doing the dirty work” under instructions from more senior members of the syndicate.
Mr Poulton is charged alongside a suppressed man, John Steven Stephenson, Terry Bunker and Adam Hayter.
A prosecutor alleged last week the father-of-two trafficked “just over a tonne” of cannabis, between Adelaide and NSW for a syndicate, saying he was “at the heart” of its operations.
He said another of the arrested men, whose identity is suppressed, was “at the apex” of the syndicate while fellow accused Rhys Mundy was “a customer”.
Mr Mundy, a 35-year-old from Hallett Cove, is charged with one count of trafficking in a commercial quantity of a controlled drug.
Mr Poulton, he alleged, used an AN0M-equipped device to “play a key role” in the sourcing, sorting, transport, packaging and delivery of cannabis.
“We allege he trafficked, over five occasions, a total of 1056.64kg of cannabis which is, by my maths, just over a tonne,” he said.
Mr Poulton’s counsel asked he be released on bail, saying he was a father of two and owner of an airconditioning installation business with three staff.
Mr Poulton worked for Definitive Air, an airconditioning company in SA, which was registered under the name Harley Dean Poulton from August 2014 to January 2018.
Mr Poulton attended Valley View Secondary School in his youth.
Magistrate Ben Sale granted Mr Poulton home detention bail and banned from communicating with his co-accused.
Pasquale Lagana – Seaton
A former private school student was arrested and charged with trafficking in more than 100kg of cannabis, 20 ounces of cocaine, 1kg of MDMA and 5L of liquid drugs after his fingerprints were visible in photos on the AN0M app, a court has heard.
On Monday, prosecutors urged the Adelaide Magistrates Court not to release St Michael’s College graduate and former Henley Beach restaurateur Pasquale Lagana on bail, despite a $10,000 cash promise from his mother.
Mr Lagana, 33, of Seaton, has yet to plead to 15 offences of trafficking in commercial and large commercial quantities of controlled drugs.
Andrew Wilson, prosecuting, alleged Mr Lagana had been the user of three separate AN0M devices, between January 2020 and June 2021, as part of a syndicate with his co-accused, ex-junior basketball coach Peter Lyall Zwar.
Mr Lagana’s role in that syndicate, he said, was neither low-level nor fleeting, with AN0M messages showing repeated and persistent contact with Mr Zwar and several other co-accused.
Those devices, he said, had been GPS-linked to Mr Lagana’s address in Seaton, to which he wished to be bailed.
He said it would be alleged Mr Lagana was involved in sourcing and arranging the delivery of cannabis to, and also in the purchase of cocaine, MDMA and GHB from, other men arrested in the AN0M sting.
“A number of images sent from those three devices include photos of quantities of cannabis being held by a (human) hand,” he said.
“The images are so clear that it has been possible for fingerprint analysis to be conducted in relation to the hand holding the cannabis.
“It’s alleged those fingerprints are a match for Mr Lagana.”
Mr Wilson said other messages made references to drug deliveries being made in a “grey Mitsi”, and that Mr Lagana’s mother owns a grey Mitsubishi.
He said Mr Lagana’s mother was not accused of any wrongdoing, nor charged with any offence, but he had been previously issued with traffic infringement notices while driving it.
Andrew Moffa, for Mr Lagana, said his client had no prior criminal history, a $10,000 cash guarantee from his mother, a suitable residence for home detention and a supportive wife, with whom he was “trying for a child”.
He said Mr Lagana, who now owns a cleaning business, had surrendered his passport, was not a flight risk and was unlikely to face any trial prior to late 2027, making for a long period of delay on remand.
Magistrate Ben Sale granted home detention bail, saying the delay and Mr Lagana’s lack of antecedents warranted release.
“He has been in the community for the past four years without allegedly committing further offences,” he said.
He ordered Mr Lagana and his two guarantors forfeit $5000, and his mother lodge an additional $10,000 cash that would also be forfeited, if he breached his bail.
Mr Lagana will next face court in February.
Simon Merendi – St Morris
A St Morris man produced in excess of 170L of the drug GHB for two different Adelaide syndicates busted in the October 29 AN0M raids, a court has heard.
On Monday, the Adelaide Magistrates Court was told the charges against Simon Merendi were too serious to warrant release on bail – despite his lack of any prior criminal history.
Mr Merendi, 37, has yet to plead to five counts of manufacturing large commercial quantities and commercial quantities of controlled drugs.
In court, a prosecutor alleged Mr Merendi was hired, four years ago, by ex-junior basketball coach Peter Lyall Zwar and ex-restaurateur Pasquale Lagana to produce the drug GHB for them.
“Mr Zwar and Mr Lagana operated a business trafficking in controlled drugs together, with Mr Zwar often acting as the broker of deals between them and other suppliers,” he said.
“Mr Zwar engaged Mr Merendi to manufacture GHB for them to sell to their customer base, two of whom operated a separate drug-trafficking business in SA.”
The identities of those men, who have also been charged as part of last month’s raids, are suppressed.
“Over time, (those men) became more reliant on Mr Merendi to manufacture GHB for their own business,” he said.
Frank Barbaro, for Mr Merendi, said cover sheets on the affidavits filed against his client showed they had been prepared 11 months ago – yet he had received them only on Monday morning.
He said Mr Merendi could be relied upon to abide by any bail conditions – and Magistrate Ben Sale agreed that appeared to be the case.
“I’ve not heard submissions about whether there were rumours amongst syndicates that there were charges to come … for the past four years, they must have been waiting for the other shoe to drop,” he said.
“If they were really worried (about arrest), if they were going to flee, surely the time to flee would have been before the 29th of October. And yet, people haven’t done that.”
He released Mr Merendi on $5000 home detention bail, with two $5000 guarantors and a further $5000 cash lodged with the court, for a hearing in February.
Peter Zwar – Burnside
A debate over “Adelaide residential architecture” has stymied the bail bid of a former junior basketball coach – alleged to be “at the apex” of an AN0M drug syndicate – and kept him in custody.
Peter Lyall Zwar, 41, has yet to plead to more than 80 drug-trafficking and money-laundering charges laid as a result of last month’s raid.
Prosecutors have alleged the former Norwood Basketball Club junior coach, 41, sat “at the apex” of a drug syndicate involving multiple co-accused including Pasquale Lagana.
On Monday, Mr Zwar’s Adelaide Magistrates Court bail application was repeatedly postponed – causing his large, supportive family to move in and out of the room – due to confusion with his home detention report.
Counsel for Mr Zwar said her client’s family had been told, by the Department for Correctional Services, their Burnside home was suitable for electronic monitoring.
The Department’s written report, he said, reached the opposite conclusion – asserting there was “insufficient signal strength” to maintain a monitoring connection.
Late on Monday, a Department representative informed the court its internal records matched the report, indicating the residence was unsuitable.
Mr Zwar’s counsel said she “refused to accept that at face value”.
“(Their home) is a Federation-style coach house on Greenhill Rd almost opposite Burnside Hall,” she said.
“The walls would be relatively thick but no thicker than in other homes to which bail has been granted.”
Magistrate Ben Sale said “we can talk about Adelaide residential architecture all day, but that doesn’t help Mr Zwar”.
“This strikes me as odd, this is the first time I’ve come across this, so I’m prepared to order another home detention report,” he said.
“We just need it to focus on the technical issue, what’s wrong with the signal and can it be tested again.”
He remanded Mr Zwar in custody to a further hearing on Friday.
Man, 38
A man already charged with, and facing trial for, AN0M-related allegations was busted in last month’s raids for a further $9m in drugs, a court has heard.
The man, whose identity is suppressed, faced the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday seeking home detention bail.
He is jointly charged with several other defendants on two files comprising 93 total allegations.
The man has yet to plead to multiple counts of trafficking in and manufacturing a large commercial quantity of a controlled drug, and with money laundering.
It is alleged he and another man met Simon Merendi through Peter Lyall Zwar and Pasquale Lagana, from whom they initially purchased GHB.
It is further alleged they then commissioned Mr Merendi themselves to produce the drug for their syndicate.
On Monday, counsel for the man said he was already on bail for other alleged AN0M-related offending, for which he was arrested during the original raids.
Those matters, he said, would not go to trial until mid-2026 and was expected to run for six months.
His client’s compliance with bail, he said, “has been outstanding” for more than five years.
His client, he said, was a father who had care of his children and the continuing support of his former partner.
Prosecutors opposed bail, saying the man may well now pose a flight risk given the number of charges against him.
He said that, in addition to his existing matters, he was now further accused of laundering $780,000 in cash and trafficking in 73.5L of GHB.
“The drugs are worth in excess of $9m … these are previously uncharged offences, matters not detected through the previous investigation,” he said.
Magistrate Ben Sale released the man on $5000 home detention bail, with $10,000 in guarantees, to face court again in February.
Man – north of Adelaide
A man who underwent “very significant” spinal surgery just two weeks before he was arrested has been denied adequate medication and medical assistance while remanded in a correctional facility, a court has heard.
The man, whose identity is suppressed, made an application for bail on Monday – submitting “no less than 20” of his desperate requests to see a medical practitioner had been denied by corrections.
“He has been provided Panadol,” defence counsel for the man said. “He is allowed two Panadol in the morning and two panadol at night, but the last time he’s administered Panadol is at 4pm.
“He’s describing the pain he’s in as somewhere up around a 10 on the pain scale. He’s been lying on the cement floor in his cell, but he’s been woken up by staff who tell him he can’t sleep on the floor.
“He has asked to see a physiotherapist, or a nurse, but that has also been denied.”
At his first appearance, the man’s lawyer conceded the case was serious, but said her client’s medical condition amounted to special circumstances warranting bail.
The court heard he had undergone L3, L4 and L5 spinal surgery; as well as further L3 and L4 procedures.
On Monday, prosecution told the court it was opposed to bail given the “seriousness of the allegations”.
The man, they submitted, had used an AN0M device to facilitate the alleged sale of 120kg of cannabis as well as the acquisition of 1kg of MDMA powder, 1600 MDMA pills and 5.5kg of meth.
He is also alleged to have laundered $41,500.
“The messages demonstrate the defendant was engaging in drug offending on a large scale,” they alleged.
The man is yet to enter pleas to multiple counts of trafficking in a controlled drug.
Magistrate Ben Sale said that, if not for the man’s serious physical discomfort and need for medical attention, he would have refused bail.
He instead granted the man’s application in the amount of $10,000 but said the matter would likely be re-called in mid-to-late January for a reconsideration of bail.
Jye Boyanton – Netley
A man charged three separate sets of AN0M offending laundered in excess of $196,000 in cash and trafficked in more than 12,000 pills, 560g of cocaine and 5kg of MDMA, a court has heard.
In the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday, prosecutors alleged Jye Anthony Boyanton, of Netley, was the AN0M user known as “No Tick” – a slang term in the drug world, they said, meaning “no credit”.
The 38-year-old has yet to plead to more than 80 charges, across three separate court files, of trafficking in a large commercial quantity of a controlled drug and money laundering.
Mr Boyanton’s alleged co-offenders include his brother-in-law, Jesse Jack Saunders, and alleged drug syndicate leaders Peter Lyall Zwar and Pasquale Lagana.
On Monday, prosecutors said Mr Boyanton’s alleged offending included purchasing 1kg of MDMA for $25,000, sending Mr Saunders to collect $42,000 to buy cocaine and buying 80 MDMA pills to “test the quality”.
They further alleged he purchased 12,080 MDMA tablets in seven separate transactions from a person he called “a mutual mate”.
Mr Boyanton, they alleged, also bought more MDMA and batches of cocaine, dealing with between $10,000 and $118,500 during those transactions.
Counsel for Mr Boyanton said their client could provide $25,000 to guarantee his release on bail.
Magistrate Ben Sale released Mr Boyanton on $5000 bail, with $25,000 in guarantees, to face court again in November.
Jesse Saunders – Glenelg North
Jesse Jack Saunders was, on Monday, granted home detention bail by the Adelaide Magistrates Court without opposition from prosecutors.
He has yet to plead to seven counts of trafficking in a large commercial quantity of a controlled drug and two counts of money laundering.
Mr Saunders, 36, is jointly charged with his brother-in-law, Jye Anthony Boyanton, with that alleged offending.
Magistrate Ben Sale released him on $5000 home detention bail, with a further $20,000 in guarantees, to face court again in February.
Moral Huckel – Glenelg
An AN0M user codenamed “Silver Fox” started a pill-pressing business that turned 12kg of MDMA powder into 74,700 tablets on-sold to other alleged offenders, a court has heard.
On Monday, Moral James Huckel, 61 – who has yet to plead to eight counts of trafficking in a commercial quantity of a controlled drug – asked the Adelaide Magistrates Court for bail.
His counsel said the Glenelg man could be trusted on home detention, given he had never fled the country despite his home first being raided, by police, in 2019.
A prosecutor, however, said his offending was far too serious.
“He was the user of three AN0M devices under the handle ‘Silver Fox’,” he said.
“He and his co-accused (who is suppressed) devised a plan to establish a pill press operation … he said he could buy a pill press in NSW for $120,000 and 12kg of MDMA.
“He produced 74,700 pills which he sold to Michael Colin Spence on behalf of (the suppressed man) then sold them to Jye Anthony Boyanton.”
Magistrate Ben Sale released Mr Huckel on $5000 bail, with a $5000 guarantee, to face court again in February.
Michael Spence – Glenelg North
A man charged with 72 AN0M offences says he is just a courier whose allegations “aren’t as serious as they look” – but prosecutors allege he ferried more than $6m in drugs and cash.
On Monday, counsel for Michael Colin Spence accused prosecutors of “inflating” the case against him by filing so many charges, saying many of them “doubled up” with others.
Mr Spence, 53, they insisted, played a role “more akin to a courier” and should not be considered as morally culpable as his co-accused – but a prosecutor disagreed.
He alleged Mr Spence, of Glenelg North, worked for “a drug syndicate directed by” a second man who was arrested during the raids but whose identity was suppressed.
He further alleged a third man, also arrested and suppressed, was “the interstate courier” for the syndicate while Mr Spence was “the local courier”.
“Mr Spence, under the handle ‘Ranger’, collected large sums of money which he would then count, package and deliver to (the second man),” he said.
“He also trafficked in about 15kg of MDMA powder, 46.5kg of methylamphetamine, 820g of cocaine, 74,7500 MDMA pills and 287kg of cannabis.
“In total, we allege he handled $6,154,000 (in cash and drugs).”
Magistrate Ben Sale noted a long period in custody would have a “devastating” effect upon Mr Spence’s wife and young children but said the allegations were too serious for bail.
He remanded him in custody until February.
Juljan Frrokaj – Glynde
An eastern suburbs man with a “young family who needs his support” has been released on home detention bail due to the “reliance of his family and employees”, a Magistrate has ruled.
Businessman Juljan Frrokaj, 31, is yet to enter any pleas to three counts of large commercial drug trafficking.
The Glynde man, who the court heard employs a chef and two casual employees as part of his business, was granted bail on Monday.
His wife, the court heard, was prepared to offer a cash guarantee in the amount of $20,000.
Mr Frrokaj will return to court in February.
Pasquale Perre
The owner of a “successful and respected business” has been released back into the community because his business would be forced to close if he was denied bail, a court has heard.
Apollo Drilling and Pumps founder Pasquale Rocco Perre, 41, was granted home detention bail to reside with his mother on Monday.
The Lewiston man is yet to plead to 18 counts of trafficking in a controlled drug and four counts of trafficking in a large commercial quantity of a controlled drug.
Defence counsel, for Mr Perre, told the court their client “doesn’t shy away” from the “serious allegations”, but submitted the charges were all “defended”.
Despite prosecution’s opposition to Mr Perre’s release on bail, Magistrate Lynette Duncan granted the application.
Mr Perre’s brother, the court heard, was prepared to offer a cash surety of $50,000.
He will return to court next year.
Roccoa Carbone – Waterloo Corner
A northern suburbs farmer must be released on bail so he can grow his “tomatoes, strawberries and beans” and care for his elderly mum, a court has heard.
Father of three Roccoa Carbone, 65, of Waterloo Corner, made an application for home detention bail on Monday in front of Magistrate Lynette Duncan.
Although yet to formally enter any pleas, the court heard Mr Carbone had “contested” one count of trafficking in a large commercial quantity, three counts of trafficking in a commercial quantity and 39 counts of basic trafficking in a controlled drug.
Stephen Ey, for Mr Carbone, told the court his client’s income to provide for the family solely depended on being able to run his farm.
“He himself looks after the farm,” Mr Ey said. “If he can’t look after the farm, their income will be negated.”
Prosecution told the court it was opposed to bail, alleging Mr Carbone posed a flight risk given he was “facing never getting out as a possible outcome of these charges”.
Mr Carbone, Mr Ey submitted, does not own a valid passport.
On Monday, Ms Duncan accepted Mr Carbone’s bail application and adjourned the matter to February.
Damien Niesche – Happy Valley
The owner of a renowned Old Reynella cafe dealt in 425g of cocaine and 93.7kg of cannabis through the AN0M app, a court has heard.
Damien Niesche, 50, has yet to plead to 10 counts of trafficking in a large commercial quantity, and in a commercial quantity, of a controlled drug.
On Monday, prosecutors alleged he had used the handle “Southside XC” on an AN0M device, which had been GPS-tracked to his home and business, to deal in drugs.
Andrew Ey, for Mr Niesche, said his client had only “limited and dated” criminal history and warranted release on home detention bail.
He said his client would live with his wife – his “childhood sweetheart” whom he met at 16 – and their three children aged 19, 17 and 16.
“He has, for 10 years, owned a cafe at Old Reynella that has been a finalist for ‘cafe of the year’ for the City of Onkaparinga for the past four years,” he said.
“That business has just been sold under a deal that will see his children, who work there, remaining employed ... there’s a risk, if he remains in custody, that sale could fall through.”
Mr Ey said his client intended to fight the charges.
Magistrate Ben Sale released Mr Niesche on $5000 home detention bail, with a further $10,000 in guarantees, to face court again in February.
Steven Bell – Forestville
Mr Bell was granted home detention bail on Monday.
Magistrate John Clover noted the prosecution case was “relatively strong” and there was a “significant risk” of him absconding but said the risk could be addressed by home detention bail conditions.
Mr Bell, 35, allegedly made references to “Os” and “balls”, attached with prices “consistent with that of meth”, prosecutors allege.
Originally from Macclesfield, Mr Bell attended Mount Barker High School.
He is yet to plead to nine counts of drug trafficking.
Mr Clover ordered Mr Bell not be allowed to use a smartphone and adjourned the charges until later this month.
Heidi Tomkins – Mawson Lakes
Heidi Tomkins, 45, was released on home detention bail – but has been prohibited from contacting two of her “direct” co-accused.
On Monday, Magistrate Lynette Duncan granted the Mawson Lakes woman’s bail application.
Andrew Moffa, for Ms Tomkins, told the court prosecution wasn’t “standing in the way” of her release.
Ms Tomkins is yet to plead to six counts of trafficking in a controlled drug.
She will return to court next year.
Robert Errigo – Munno Para
The part-owner of an Adelaide construction business will be allowed to leave his home detention address to celebrate the birth of his co-accused brother’s child.
E3 Concrete Constructions co-owner Roberto Errigo, 29, was granted bail on Monday – and permitted to visit his brother Francesco Errigo “on one occasion”.
Mr Errigo, of Munno Para, is yet to plead to 10 counts of large commercial drug trafficking and one count of cultivating a controlled plant.
Mr Errigo’s business has worked on a range of residential properties throughout the state.
On Instagram and Facebook, they have a number of photos devoted to their work and employees.
Mr Errigo will return to court in February.
Daniel Errigo – Parafield Gardens
An Adelaide father of four whose hydroponic business was flooded with cops in a 2021 Operation Ironside raid should be granted bail, because he’s known of his impending arrest for the last year, a court has heard.
Craig Caldicott, for Daniel Bruno Errigo, made an application for home detention bail on Monday – submitting his client “hadn’t left the state” despite being “fully aware they (police) were coming for him”.
“He has, in effect, been waiting,” Mr Caldicott said. “Despite all that knowledge, he has remained in the jurisdiction.”
Prosecution told the court they remained opposed to all forms of bail but, if it were to be granted, they would be seeking a “substantial cash guarantee”.
An overseas extradition, they submitted, was a “very expensive process” if Mr Errigo, of Parafield Gardens, were to flee the country.
Mr Errigo, 41, is yet to enter pleas to multiple counts of trafficking a large commercial quantity of drugs.
Mr Errigo’s wife, the court heard, would be prepared to offer up a surety of $50,000.
Magistrate Lynette Duncan granted Mr Errigo’s bail application and adjourned the matter to February.
Vate Gjinaj – Parafield Gardens
A Parafield Gardens parolee who allegedly trafficked 68kg of cannabis has been bailed to live, under home detention, with his 20 chickens, five pigs, three cows, 15 sheep and three dogs.
On Monday, the Adelaide Magistrates Court granted Vate Gjinaj bail under conditions of electronic monitoring and $10,000 in guarantees.
Mr Gjinaj, 52, has yet to plead to 15 counts of trafficking in a large commercial quantity of a controlled drug, namely cannabis, through the AN0M app.
Prosecutors have alleged he committed those offences with two other men, whose identities are suppressed.
They have further alleged that occurred while he was serving parole for other offending – the details of which are suppressed.
On Monday they opposed bail, saying the alleged offending was too serious, and that Mr Gjinaj should be banned from using anything other than an analog phone.
Mr Gjinaj’s lawyer said his client was in poor health and had commitments to which he needed to attend.
“He owns his own home on 10 acres of a small hobby farm,” he said.
“He has 20 chickens, five pigs, three cows, 15 sheep and three dogs, and spends his time tending to those animals and living off the products they make.”
Magistrate Ben Sale bailed Mr Gjinaj to face court again in February.
Artemis Triantafillou – Panorama
A father was allegedly using an AN0M device to “seek out substantial quantities” of cocaine and meth, a court has heard.
Self-employed mechanic Artemis Triantafillou, 47, was released on home detention bail after allegedly trafficking more than 3kg of meth.
Elizabeth Porter, for the Panorama man, told the court a number of drug trafficking charges – including five counts of large commercial drug trafficking – were “primarily to be defended”.
Ms Porter further submitted that Mr Triantafillou’s arrest last month “came as a shock to him and his family”.
Prosecution told the court they were opposed to all forms of bail – alleging Mr Triantafillou used his AN0M device “to obtain drugs for scale”.
Evidence attributing the device to Mr Triantafillou, they alleged, was “very strong”.
On Monday, Magistrate Lynette Duncan granted Mr Triantafillou’s bail application.
He will return to court next year.
Man – Fleurieu Peninsula
A man, whose identity is suppressed, has fronted court to have his recently approved bail conditions varied to match existing conditions imposed after an earlier AN0M-related arrest.
Defence counsel, for the man, asked Magistrate Ben Sale to amend the terms of his home detention bail – which was granted at his first appearance last month.
He is yet to enter any pleas to five charges including trafficking in a commercial quantity of a controlled drug and money laundering.
The man will return to court later this month.
