Bradley Ernest Hardy charged with drug trafficking, sentenced for driving suspended

A man allegedly linked to a major drug bust on a rural Sunshine Coast property is facing a fresh charge as he faced court for other matters. Read the latest here.

Bradley Ernest Hardy, 52, is facing a new charge of drug trafficking, a court has been told.

A man tied to a major drug bust on a Sunshine Coast hinterland property is facing a new charge of drug trafficking, a court has been told.

Bradley Ernest Hardy, 52, was arrested after a drug raid at an Ilkley property on July 20, 2022, alongside Brendan John Casey and another woman.

Bradley Ernest Hardy. Picture: Facebook

He appeared in the Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Friday, May 5, charged with failing to dispose of a needle or syringe, possessing drug utensils, two charges of possessing dangerous drugs, possessing property suspected of being the proceeds of a drug offence and possessing property suspected of being acquired with proceeds of a drug offence.

On top of this, defence lawyer Leisel Rogan said Mr Hardy had been issued a notice to appear for one drug trafficking charge since his last court appearance.

This came from the same brief of evidence for the charges linking him to the Ilkley raid, she said.

Mr Hardy did not enter pleas to these charges, but pleaded guilty to driving with a suspended licence (repeat offender) from April 4, 2023, which was separate to the raid.

Police on scene at an Ilkley address along Ilkley Rd on July 20, 2022. Picture: Sam Turner

Police prosecutor Jeanette Grigoris said Hardy was pulled over while driving on Western Service Rd, Tanawha, while he was suspended from driving for three months due to demerit points.

Ms Grigoris said Hardy claimed he did not realise he was suspended.

Hardy, who represented himself, told the court he was driving home from the hospital.

He was fined $250 and disqualified for six months. The remaining matters were adjourned until June 2.

His co-accused, Mr Casey and Jarred Kenneth Brooks, whose matters were also mentioned on Friday, were adjourned until June 2 also.

Mr Casey’s charges include driving without a licence, two charges of aggravated supply of dangerous drugs to a minor 16 years or more, possessing anything used in the commission of a crime defined in part 2, possession of dangerous drugs, possession of property suspected of being acquired with proceeds from a drug offence, receiving or possessing property obtained by trafficking or supplying, four charges of supplying a dangerous drug, drug trafficking and failing to appear.

Mr Brooks charges include possessing a prohibited combination of items, producing dangerous drugs, three charges of unlawfully possessing a relevant substance or thing, failing to dispose of a needle or syringe, possessing anything used in the commission of a crime, possessing dangerous drugs, drug trafficking and two charges of possessing a relevant substance or thing.