Christian Guy Russell Winston charged with trafficking dangerous drugs in Rockhampton in 2020

An accused drug trafficker claims he was forced to spend 60 hours in a prison transport van after a bungle on the way to court.

An accused drug trafficker had $65,000 on his person.

A drug trafficker’s bizarre 60-hour long road trip in a prison van was revealed in a Supreme Court last week.

Alleged drug trafficker Christian Guy Russell Winston’s matter was mentioned in the Rockhampton court on November 23, with an application seeking he appear via video link from the Maryborough Correctional Centre for his contested facts sentence, after a prison transport bungle came to light.

Mr Winston, 42, is charged with one count of trafficking dangerous drugs in Rockhampton between October 5, 2020, and December 12, 2020, along with receiving or possessing property obtained from trafficking or supplying at Wycarbah on November 28, 2020.

He is also charged with five offences from December 11, 2020, in Gracemere – one count each of possessing a dangerous drug, receiving or possessing property obtained from trafficking or supplying, possessing more than two grams of a schedule one drug, possession of a relevant substance or thing and possessing anything used in the commission of a crime.

Mr Winston’s defence lawyer explained he had been instructed to seek the video link after his client claimed the last time he was transported to Rockhampton from the prison, the van was initially driven in the wrong direction and he ended up in the van for 60 hours.

“He made it clear he was sitting in the van for about 60 hours before arriving in Rockhampton,” he said.

The defence lawyer said Mr Winston instructed he had back problems and if the trip was straight from Maryborough to Rockhampton, it would not be a problem.

Crown prosecutor Joshua Phillips also wanted a court order to have the defence outline the contested facts to the Crown ahead of the hearing.

Mr Winston’s lawyer said the defence argued the length of the trafficking period was not as it was stated on the indictment.

“The indictment indicates October 5, 2020, … and that was the roadside interception where the police found some $65,000 and CIB (Criminal Investigation Branch) spoke to (another) branch to return the money to my client,” he said.

He argued this was not when the trafficking commenced, according to the evidence.

The level of trafficking was also contested.

“The level of trafficking is a rather broader inquiry that might benefit from some direction in terms of what precisely is in dispute so that either eight can be conceded or be agreed or, or see if, if neither of the above, then the prosecution will know which witnesses it has to bring,” Justice Graeme Crow said.

Justice Crow set the matter down for mention again on November 29 ahead of the contested facts hearing which is listed for December 12.