Brandon Saysana Phommaly and Pokee Oscar Phalaklang plead not guilty for meth bust

Young cousins allegedly busted with over a million dollars worth of meth in a regional Qld town have trial date set — but there may still be ‘scope for negotiation’.

Mackay police seized three kilograms of methylamphetamines, two grams of cocaine and more than $9000 cash after stopping an alleged speeding vehicle at Sarina. Picture: QPS

Two cousins charged over a Sarina meth bust have ticked closer to standing trial after entering pleas of not-guilty in the supreme court — but there may be ‘scope for negotiation’.

Brandon Saysana Phommaly appeared in the Mackay Supreme Court on Monday with Pokee Oscar Phalaklang appearing via video link from a Brisbane courthouse charging each with aggravated drug possession.

Police allege Mr Phommaly and Mr Phalaklang were speeding in a rented Toyota RAV4 when officers stopped them on Broad St, Sarina about 9.45pm on July 22, 2023.

Brandon Saysana Phommaly leaving the Mackay Supreme Court on Monday, May 19 after pleading not guilty to an alleged Sarina Drug Bust in 2023. Photo: Luke Lay

Officers then searched the vehicle and allegedly uncovered 3.195kg of meth in bags and a small amount of cocaine stashed in the footwall behind the driver’s seat with a combined street value of $1.38m.

It is also alleged that on July 23, 2023, Mr Phommaly contravened a police order.

Mackay police seized three kilograms of methylamphetamines, two grams of cocaine and more than $9000 cash after stopping an alleged speeding vehicle at Sarina. Picture: QPS

The duo, who are distant cousins from New South Wales, both pleaded not-guilty to all charges.

Mr Phommaly and Mr Phalaklang’s solicitors, Jordan Gear from KPT Defence Lawyers and Alex Jones from Jones and Associates said there was “scope for negotiation to potentially resolve the matter” and therefore it was too “premature” for the case to be listed for a trial.

The pair were stopped by Police after allegedly speeding in a rented Toyota RAV4. Picture: QPS

“There’s certainly room for negotiations,” Mr Gear said.

Justice David North adjourned both men to return to court on August 13, and enlarged bail with restrictions.

“If you move efficiently you ought to be in a position to either stand trial or have concluded the negotiations successfully and taken a different course,” he said.

Defence solicitor Jordan Gear from KPT Defence Lawyers didn’t oppose the bail restrictions but said that the trial should only take two to three days given the fact that the investigation only involved one search and three officers.