Steven Michale Patestos charged with cocaine possession in Mackay

A man allegedly busted with a large amount of cocaine might have to scrape together $20,000 if he wants to be released on bail.

Steven Michale Patestos told to front $20k for bail after facing cocaine possession charges in Mackay Magistrates Court.

A Mackay man allegedly busted with one kilo of cocaine might have to front a $20,000 surety if he wants to be released on bail with a magistrate stating “this is the sort of charge that people go underground for”.

But for the moment, and including over Christmas, Steven Michale Patestos will remain behind bars on remand.

Mackay Magistrates Court heard he was arrested and charged on the Mackay Ring Road near Racecourse with serious drug offending on December 10, 2024. He told police he did not know the drugs were there.

Magistrate Bronwyn Hartigan said “this is so serious I can’t think of the last time I’ve seen it” after she heard the quantity police alleged he possessed.

Mr Patestos is facing a raft of offences including driving without a licence, possessing dangerous drugs and possessing cash suspected of being the proceeds of an offence.

He was detained and appeared by videolink in Mackay Magistrates Court to apply for bail. 

“This is well over a 10 year offence of imprisonment,” Ms Hartigan said.
“This is the sort of charge that people go underground for and we never see them again … I’m not suggesting he will.”

The court heard police had Mr Patestos’ phone and were awaiting confirmation of possible further charges.

Ms Hartigan asked if Mr Patestos had someone who could provide a $20,000 surety to ensure he appeared again, to which Mr Patestos said between his children they might be able to collect $10,000 – before adding “there goes Christmas”.

“I think Christmas is the least of your worries,” Ms Hartigan said.

Ms Hartigan told Mr Patestos “without a surety I can’t see you being let out of jail”.

“I would let him out on bail if he had a $20,000 surety, depending obviously on … further investigations,” she said.

“If this is all they have and there’s nothing more coming and he had a substantial surety then I think he’d have good prospects.

“Reporting address, none of that is going to mitigate the risk of failing to appear, that is the biggest risk here … it’s just a massive charge.”

Prosecutor Matt Saunders detailed some concerns highlighted in the police objection to bail document including that Mr Patestos had no fixed address having returned to Queensland from the Northern Territory.

“That’s why he needs a surety,” Ms Hartigan said.

The court heard Mr Patestos had no criminal history.

When Mr Patestos heard, if he was convicted, he would possibly have to serve “years and years and years” of imprisonment he put his face in his hands and said “oh God”.

Ms Hartigan told Mr Patestos he was better off waiting for a legal aid grant and to see what else police had against him, “if anything”.

“You should wait for this bail application,” Ms Hartigan said, to which he responded, “I’m going to have to”.

Mr Patestos’ matter was adjourned until February 2025 with Ms Hartigan noting on the record he had not officially applied for bail.