Jared Kenneth Brooks denied bail over drug trafficking allegations

A man who allegedly piloted a drone to watch for police during drug deals has been arrested for his part in an alleged Sunshine Coast hinterland drug trafficking ring.

A man who allegedly used a drone to keep an eye out for police while drugs deals were going down at a Sunshine Coast hinterland property has been denied bail.

Jared Kenneth Brooks, 31, appeared via video link in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on August 3, 2022, following his arrest at an Ilkley property.

Police allege Mr Brooks was involved in a sophisticated drug trafficking ring operating from an Ilkley Rd property, which was raided by Sunshine Coast Criminal Investigation Branch detectives on July 20, 2022.

Police made several arrests on July 20, including of co-accused Brendan John Casey who was charged with drug trafficking and other drug matters whose bail was also refused.

Mr Brooks, who lived at the Ilkley property, was away during the raid and was later arrested on August 2, 2022.

Jared Kenneth Brooks, 31, charged with trafficking dangerous drugs and other drug offences following a raid on an Ilkley property. Picture: Social media

He was charged with trafficking methamphetamine between January 1, 2020 and 21 July 2022, possessing cannabis, and other drug related offences.

Police allege when a sale was occurring on site, Mr Brooks would collect the drugs hidden around the property and bring them to Mr Casey to sell to the client.

Brenden John Casey, 49, is charged with drug trafficking and supplying after police raided an Ilkley property in July 2022.

“If the transaction was for a larger quantity of drugs, Casey would get Brooks to put a drone camera up in the air to check if any police were around the area before collecting the drugs,” court documents state.

“If customers attended the address when Brooks was not there, Casey would make them leave and come back.”

During the police raid, detectives allegedly found items “consistent with a clandestine drug laboratory”, including chemicals and glass beakers with Mr Brooks’ fingerprints on them.

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

Duty lawyer Ben Rynderman said Mr Brooks’ had a “very minimal” role in the alleged drug operation.

The court heard both Mr Casey and Mr Brooks’ trafficking charges would be heard in the Supreme Court.

Mr Rynderman said Mr Brooks should be granted bail because of the expected lengthy delay in proceedings and that he might not serve actual time in custody if convicted.

Acting Magistrate Raelene Ellis refused the bail application because of his alleged involvement in the “significant drug operation”.

“I disagree with the submission that he may spend no time in custody due to his minimal role,” she said.

Both Mr Brooks and Mr Casey will face Maroochydore Magistrates Court on September 30, 2022.