Israel Kani faces new trafficking charge in Noosa drug bust operation

A professional boxer from a long list of people allegedly part of a Noosa drug ring has had another charge laid against him. READ THE LATEST:

Several high-profile alleged players in a Noosa drug ring netted as part of a 12-month investigation have fronted court again with one of the accused, a pro boxer, slapped with another serious drugs charge.

In 2021, Noosa detectives charged 25 people on more than 100 charges following the operation and said more charges could follow.

The most serious charges included the alleged trafficking and importation of cocaine, understood to have been shipped from Holland.

Professional boxer Israel Kani appeared in Noosa Magistrates Court on Tuesday, January 18 for an additional charge of drug trafficking that will be added to his existing drug-supplying charge.

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Mr Kani previously pleaded not guilty to one count of supplying dangerous drugs back in November, 2021, but is yet to enter a plea for the trafficking charge.

He will remain on bail until his next court date on February 15.

Sam Luke Harvey also appeared in Noosa Magistrates Court on Tuesday, charged with one count of supplying cocaine and one count of possessing a thing used in the commission of a crime.

His matter will be mentioned again on February 1.

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Former co-owners of a high-profile Noosa nightclub, Marcus Les Wright and Shae Daniel Bartholom Fox had their matters adjourned until March 1 and did not appear in court.

Mr Fox is charged with one count each of possessing a dangerous drug, possessing a thing used in the commission of a crime and drug trafficking.

Mr Wright is charged with two counts of fraud, two counts of possessing a thing used in the commission of a crime, one count of trafficking dangerous drugs, two counts of supplying dangerous drugs and one count of stealing.

All the accused have been granted bail at this point in time.

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The following defendants were also mentioned in court but were all adjourned until March 1 and had their appearances excused:

Samuel Gary Johnson – charged with drug trafficking

Alexandra Chiodo – charged with fraud and receiving tainted property

Matthew James Long – charged with 28 counts of fraud, one count of attempted drug importation, one count of attempting to pervert justice, one count of importing commercial quantities of drugs, two counts of possessing tainted property, two counts of supplying dangerous drugs, one count of drug trafficking, one count of stealing and several other charges.

Loryn Tiffany Watson-Davie – charged with fraud

Police prosecutor Nick Nitschke confirmed the defendants were all linked to the same year-long drug operation conducted by detectives.