Eight arrested, 13 Adelaide properties raided in drug bust as millions in cash and assets seized
A Lamborghini, a Harley, $360k cash and $1m of drugs have been seized in a major SA police raid. Now three of the eight charged over it have faced court.
Police & Courts
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The owners of a successful Gawler barber and a local soccer gun are among eight charged over an alleged drug running syndicate worth millions of dollars.
The barbershop owners, Matthew Newall and Nicholas Rehmann, on Wednesday faced court alongside Modbury soccer player Steven Jadon.
Hours before the trio faced court, police had swooped on 13 properties across the western, northern and northeastern suburbs of Adelaide, arresting them and five others.
They seized luxury cars – including a Lamborghini, Jaguar and Mercedes G-Wagon – a Harley Davidson, $370,000 cash and drugs with a street value of $1m.
Mr Newall, 34, of North Haven, appeared in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court charged with 30 counts of money laundering, three of trafficking a commercial quantity of drugs, and three of growing cannabis crops.
Mr Rehmann, 32, of Gawler, faced the Elizabeth Magistrates Court charged with two counts of trafficking a commercial quantity of drugs and four of cultivating cannabis plants.
Mr Jadon, 30, of Golden Grove, who also appeared in Elizabeth, was charged with two counts of money laundering, trafficking in a commercial quantity of drugs, two of diverting electricity from a power system and one of possessing prescribed equipment.
Mr Rehmann and Mr Jadon made applications to be released on home detention, which were not opposed by a police prosecutor.
They will spend until Tuesday behind bars on remand until they learn if they can be released on home detention bail.
Mr Newall, however, had his bail application opposed in all forms by a prosecutor.
Police will allege the trio, and the four other men and one woman charged, were involved in an elaborate drug running operation between SA, NSW and QLD.
They said the arrest came after a 12-month investigation culminating in the swath of arrests on Monday and Tuesday.
Police will allege they also seized a large amount of hydroponic equipment and 33 cannabis plants during the arrests.
The remaining five people arrested, aged between 31 and 41, were granted police bail and will appear in court next year.
Detective Superintendent Billy Thompson, Officer in Charge of Serious and Organised Crime Squad, warned that those involved in organised crime will be punished.
“These searches and arrests demonstrate that South Australia Police is resolute in its pursuit of those who choose to involve themselves in organised crime and bring harm to our communities,” he said.
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