Henley Beach construction supervisor Aaron Wanders denied bail on charges of mailing cannabis through the post

A Henley Beach man who allegedly used Australia Post to mail large amounts of cannabis to Queensland has been remanded in custody despite recently becoming a father.

A Henley Beach man who was allegedly part of a criminal enterprise using Australia Post to mail cannabis to Queensland has been denied bail.

Aaron Wanders, 40, appeared in custody at the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday charged with two counts of trafficking a large commercial quantity of a controlled drug and money laundering.

Police told Magistrate Jayanthi McGrath that Mr Wanders, a construction project supervisor, was part of an interstate drug operation and as such the prosecution opposed any form of bail.

“We believe he’s sent about 2.59kg to a person in Queensland and another 2.62kg on a separate occasion, via Australia Post,” the prosecutor said.

“Investigators have video footage of Wanders picking up and delivering packages as well as tracking numbers for parcels in the mail, they also found he received $12,990 in cash via Australia Post.”

Accused Drug Trafficker Aaron Wanders, who allegedly mailed large commercial quantities of cannabis interstate via the mail. Picture: Facebook

The prosecutor said a joint operation with Queensland Police led SA Police to search Mr Wanders’ premises, finding tracking numbers for the packages containing cannabis and the $12,990 in cash.

“Police found 1.94kg of cannabis, sealing machines, cryovac bags, a bud stripper, $1050 cash and text messages on his phone relating to intention to sell the cannabis. It’s a strong case, it’s part of a larger criminal enterprise,” the prosecutor alleged.

Mr Wanders’ lawyer said he was under instruction to apply for home detention bail and said his client had never been in police custody before, or been charged with any drug-related offences.

“There is no proof of a recipient in Queensland and if there were stems in the cannabis in question, the actual usable amount of cannabis may be less, lowering the charge to a commercial quantity rather than a large commercial quantity,” defence counsel told the court.

He told Magistrate McGrath that Mr Wanders has been employed full-time as a construction worker for six months and is currently financially supporting his partner, who is on maternity leave after having their first child just over a month ago.

“Mr Wanders also has a number of health issues which may be difficult to treat in custody including chronic inflammatory peripheral neuropathy, PTSD and Julien Barr syndrome. Once a month he has to go to the Royal Adelaide Hospital and is hooked up to a drip,” defence counsel said.

Magistrate McGrath said the allegations were serious and denied bail.

“Much has been put to me by your lawyer but these are serious matters which include an allegation of an interstate operation, I’m concerned about protecting the community,” she said.

Mr Wanders will appear before the Adelaide Magistrates Court again in November.

Originally published as Henley Beach construction supervisor Aaron Wanders denied bail on charges of mailing cannabis through the post