Ninh Hoai Nguyen granted bail after $55m drug bust

A defence barrister representing a Vietnamese man allegedly involved in a South Burnett marijuana operation worth $55m says his client has been the victim of “racial stereotyping”.

Man granted bail after $55 million drug bust in South Burnett

One of the seven men allegedly involved in a $55m marijuana operation was granted bail with special conditions, including he hand over his passport.

Ninh Hoai Nguyen was among the seven men charged after the drug bust at a remote South Burnett property in August, 2022.

Mr Nguyen applied for bail on Tuesday, October 11, at Murgon Magistrates Court where he faced charges of possessing and producing dangerous drugs.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Barry Stevens said Mr Nguyen was a flight risk and requested bail be refused.

Mr Nguyen arrived in Australia as a student in 2013 and has no previous convictions.

Police concerns were that Mr Nguyen would commit further offences and that he would fail to appear in court if granted bail.

Defence barrister Eric Engwirda said the last two paragraphs of the police officer’s affidavit made rather outrageous claims.

Magistrate Andrew Sinclair granted bail for $15,000.

“The experience of detectives are that when investigating Vietnamese organised crime offenders is that they will habitually flee,” Mr Engwirda said.

“That racial stereotyping of Vietnamese people is something that has underpinned the allegations made against my client.

“The risk of him fleeing is no greater than other persons who might be in a similar position.”

Sergeant Stevens said if Mr Nguyen is to be granted bail he should be fitted with a tracker and bail should be set at $15,000.

“That’s a drop in the ocean,” he said.

“He should not go within 10km of any international airport or departure point or leave the 50 km radius around his property.”

Magistrate Andrew Sinclair granted bail with a surety of $15,000.

“He has been in Australia for nine years with no offences to the knowledge of authority, no bail is risk free and he will have specific conditions,” Mr Sinclair said.

“He must surrender his passport prior to being released from custody and will be fitted with a GPS tracker,” he said.

Mr Nguyen was ordered to report to Richlands Police station weekly.

His case was adjourned to November 22, 2022.