Jayden Soanes arrested on serious cocaine dealing charges, granted bail

An unemployed Sunshine Coast man has been arrested on serious drug charges where police allege he trafficked cocaine to “20 regular customers” and accumulated unexplained wealth.

Jayden James Soanes was arrested on serious drugs charges following an investigation by Sunshine Coast detectives. Picture: Facebook

A Rosemount drug dealer lived a “lavish lifestyle” of boats, cars and overseas holidays financed through a drug trafficking business and not a real job, court documents allege.

Jayden James Soanes was arrested following an investigation by the Sunshine Coast Drug and Serious Crime Taskforce on March 7 who alleged the 23-year-old was selling commercial quantities of cocaine and smaller amounts of MDMA and marijuana.

Their investigation was detailed in a bail affidavit tendered to Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Tuesday where he applied for bail on seven charges including three counts of trafficking in dangerous drugs.

Police prosecutor Brendan Newman alleged Soanes was the supplier for the investigation’s main target Tyren Wiggins, who was also arrested on serious drug charges and is in custody.

Court documents state the pair spoke over the phone, with Soanes identifying himself as Jayden and the nickname “ranga”.

Jayden James Soanes. Picture: Facebook

Police investigations allegedly revealed Soanes had in excess of 20 regular customers who purchased cocaine ranging from “eight ball” amounts of 3.5g to multiple ounces.

Bail affidavit documents state the Rosemount man had “no legitimate income” apart from working as a renderer’s assistant for four weeks.

Despite this, police allege Soanes owned a Toyota HiLux ute which was given in lieu of a $14,000 drug debt, bought a boat for $30,000 and went on two overseas holidays to Bali and Thailand.

Police allege Soanes stopped working part time in late September 2023 and hasn’t worked since.

“The investigation showed that the defendant financed his entire living expenses, and a lavish lifestyle, completely through his drug trafficking profits,” police allege in court documents.

Detectives allege Soanes used encrypted applications and phone calls over two phones to discuss drug dealing in late 2023 and into 2024, while other phone intercepts revealed he openly spoke about drug deals with certain customers.

A raid on a Parrearra home on March 7 allegedly uncovered 42g of suspected cocaine, 313g of marijuana, $3010 cash and the keys to a Holden Statesman owned by Soanes.

Later that morning police executed a search warrant on his Rosemount home and seized a 7.5m console boat, drug items, a small amount of marijuana and a “tick sheet”.

In court on Tuesday, Sergeant Newman alleged the 23-year-old was dealing in “big big amounts” of cocaine and was part of a syndicate.

Defence lawyer Kylie Ward said Soanes’ 15 days in custody on remand had been a “sobering” experience for him and claimed the Rosemount man was “addicted to drugs” during the period to which the charges relate.

“Unless he’s running a business, as far as I’m concerned,” magistrate Haydn Stjernqvist replied.

Ms Ward proposed strict conditions for Soanes’ bail, including non contact orders for certain people, a curfew and leave to work as a painter.

Mr Stjernqvist granted Soanes’ bail and adjourned his matter to May 3.