Hotel room raid: $40,000 cash, ice and gun found

Police were performing a search at a hotel room when they say a mysterious figure fled the balcony

A Mackay man was charged with 28 offences after police found a bag containing drugs, cash, and a hand gun at a Clarion Hotel room.

ARMED with a search warrant, police officers pushed open the barred door of a Mackay Harbour hotel room to see a shadowy figure disappearing out onto the balcony.

It was September 8, 2019, and police had been obstructed from the entering the room by a table behind the door.

The subject of their warrant, Elisha Guinane, was not found, but drugs, $40,000 cash and receipts, photos, and a loaded handgun were left in the Clarion Hotel room.

Alex Colin Blake appeared in Mackay Magistrates Court after his fingerprints were found on two receipts, and two photos of an unidentifiable man in a white-sleeved hoodie were found on the mobile phones.

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However, defence solicitor Sean Gibbs argued his client’s prints were not found on the 60g (44.416g pure) methylamphetamine in the bag.

“He’s made no admissions the bag is his,” Mr Gibbs said.

Blake and Guinane were found together and arrested on October 6.

However, Mr Gibbs said there was no proof the pair were in a relationship.

Prosecutor Chelsea Pearson said photos found on the mobile phones in the hotel room showed a man of similar appearance to Blake kissing Guinane and wearing a similar jacket to the one Blake was arrested in.

“Someone fled the scene when police attended … that could count as guilt,” she said.

“The fingerprints found on property inside the bag would suggest … the defendant was in the room at that time.

“The fingerprints also suggest the defendant had knowledge and control of the bag and items within that bag.”

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Although Mr Gibbs said there was no proof the room in the photos was the same room searched in the warrant, Ms Pearson said they appeared similar.

The two receipts which bore Blake’s fingerprints were from City Beach and Myer, and another was a My Cash withdrawal receipt.

CCTV footage from Andergrove Tavern on September 4 showed another man using the ATM.

“Mr Blake was later being identified as being in the company of (the man) and the co-accused Ms Guinane on September 4 at Andergrove Tavern,” Mr Gibbs said.

Blake was charged with 28 offences including possessing a shortened firearm, obstructing police, and possessing dangerous drugs.

The matter was adjourned to July 27.

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