Ilirjan Kolaj, Soniard Mrishaj and David John Thomas Rickerby face SA court over $1.6m cocaine bust and $500K cash haul
Waiting media were abused as three men charged over a $1.6m cocaine bust left court – one hiding, another running into traffic.
Police & Courts
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Three men charged over a $1.6m cocaine bust have made bizarre exits from court, minutes after two of them revealed they want to “negotiate” with prosecutors.
On Thursday, Ilirjan Kolaj hid behind the pillars of the Adelaide Magistrates Court in a bid to avoid the media – then verbally abused and swiped at them as he walked past.
His co-accused, Soniard Mrishaj, left court at top speed and physically shoved a cameraman before running into oncoming traffic on King William St.
David John Thomas Rickerby, meanwhile, exited the building at walking pace – but only after changing into a completely different set of clothes from what he wore in the dock.
Mr Kolaj, 28, of Seaton, Mr Mrishaj, 37, of Findon, and Mr Rickerby, 24, of Broadview, were arrested in March last year following a police sting operation.
Prosecutors alleged they were responsible for 4kg of cocaine, worth $1.6m, $500,000 cash, four vehicles and two motorcycles seized from properties around the state.
The bust was made after Australian Border Force and SA Police intercepted a package containing the cocaine that was allegedly addressed to Mr Rickerby.
Officers allegedly observed Mr Rickerby handing the package – which had been swapped for an inert substance – to Mr Mrishaj and Mr Kolaj, who tried to flee when confronted.
Each of the men were charged with attempting to traffic a large commercial quantity of a controlled drug, while Mr Mrishaj and Mr Kolaj were further charged with money laundering.
The court subsequently heard the drugs had originally been concealed inside a smoke machine, while Mr Mrishaj denied allegations he was seeking to flee overseas on bail.
On Thursday, all three men were due to answer the charges but counsel for Mr Kolaj and Mr Rickerby asked that be delayed.
They said they had written to prosecutors “seeking to negotiate” the charges against their clients.
Counsel for Mr Mrishaj said they were not engaged in negotiations at this time, but were waiting for prosecutors to hand over alleged evidence in the case.
The trio were remanded on continuing bail to face court again next month.
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