Mongrel Mob case: Colin McKay makes a bail bid

Detectives will allege a man accused of being the Mackay chapter president of an outlaw group sold drugs ‘directly’ to police. Read about the latest legal push in the case

Detectives will allege a man accused of being the Mackay chapter president of an outlaw group sold drugs to police in an operation targeting a trafficking network linked to an international street gang, court documents reveal.

Police operation Sierra Asteroid focused on alleged organised crime and drug trafficking in Mackay through the The Mongrel Mob.

As a result, two men were arrested including alleged Mackay chapter president Karl Robert Bailey, 30, who is facing charges including drug trafficking and supply and recruiting persons into a criminal organisation.

Rural View man Colin McKay, 49, who is alleged to be an associate of Mr Bailey, was also arrested and charged with drug trafficking between April 14 and September 16 2021 and other drug-related charges.

Mr Bailey was granted bail in January 2022 after a $30,000 surety was paid, but Mr McKay’s bail bid was rejected and he was remanded in custody.

A new push for Mr McKay was made in Mackay Supreme Court on Monday. In court documents filed in relation to the case, the Crown alleged Mr McKay “over a not insignificant period of time has been recorded interacting with his co-offender (Mr) Bailey”.

“The case against (Mr) Bailey seems very strong, given it includes controlled purchases by the police directly from him,” Crown prosecutor Eddie Coker stated in court documents.

It is also alleged police phone taps and surveillance had linked Mr McKay to drug sales multiple times.

The Crown argued, if convicted, Mr McKay faced a jail term and there was no risk “he has currently served too long in custody”. The father of three had been 55 days on remand at the time of the supreme court bail application.

Colin McKay was arrested as part of a police operation targeting the Mongrel Mob in Mackay. It is alleged Mr McKay is an associate of Mongrel Mob Mackay chapter president Karl Bailey.

He is not in a show cause position.

Barrister Scott McLennan said his client had strong ties to the region and no history of breaching bail or failing to appear.

The documents state his criminal history was more than 20 years old and Mr McLennan argued there was “no evidentiary basis” his client would endanger the safety and welfare of others or himself.

Mr McLennan argued Mr McKay was not a risk of committing more offences and submitted onerous bail conditions would substantially reduce any risk.

Mr McKay was granted bail. His conditions include residential and police reporting three times a week. He must surrender his passport and not leave Australia.

He must also comply with no contact and drug and alcohol testing orders.