Bradley Ernest Hardy: Police reveal Ilkley man’s links to alleged drug ring

A Sunshine Coast man arrested during an alleged hinterland drug trafficking bust has applied for bail as more details of his alleged ‘criminal connections’ to his brother emerge.

An Ilkley man who was arrested during an alleged drug trafficking operation run by his brother has wound back up in custody.

Bradley Ernest Hardy, 51, was taken into custody on August 4, 2022 after he was found allegedly driving a stolen 2005 Audi A3 hatchback along Nicklin Way in Warana while on bail for serious drug charges

Mr Hardy was previously granted police bail on July 20, 2022 when he was arrested alongside his brother Brenden John Casey, 49, and Jodie Leanne Herrman, 39, following a raid at their Ilkley property.

Detectives allege in court documents Mr Casey was allegedly supplying commercial amounts of meth to an extensive syndicate across the Sunshine Coast.

It’s alleged by police in court documents Mr Casey was also sourcing and supplying kilogram packets of drugs weekly.

Bradley Ernest Hardy was arrested with his brother Brenden John Casey at their Ilkley property on July 20, 2022. Picture: Facebook

Jared Kenneth Brooks, who lived at the Ilkley property, was away during the raid but was later arrested on August 2, 2022.

Both Mr Casey and Mr Brooks have been denied bail on charges of drug trafficking while Ms Herrmann was granted watchouse bail and have not entered pleas.

In court documents police allege Mr Hardy had “significant connections to criminal associates” and objected to his bail.

Court documents say Mr Hardy was in his donga at the Ilkley property with his brother Mr Casey when detectives executed the search warrant.

During this search police allegedly found a plastic tub containing 16g of meth along with $18,050 hidden in a magnetic box and other drug items.

Police at their Ilkley Rd property in Ilkley on July 20, 2022. Picture: Sam Turner

Hardy was charged with six offences including two counts of possessing drugs, possessing property suspected of being proceeds of a drug offence and possessing utensils.

Duty lawyer David Crews said in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Friday, August 5, 2022 that police had checked the Audi during the raid but gave the keys back to Mr Hardy.

Mr Crews said the 51-year-old Ilkley man had bought the vehicle previously and queried whether police knew of the Audi’s background on the day and waited.

Acting Magistrate Raelene Ellis said police most likely had their focus on the alleged drug operation rather than the vehicle.

Ms Ellis granted Mr Hardy bail and adjourned his matter to August 26, 2022.