Lucio Giovanni Caso, Tivoli, in court for alleged involvement in $400k drug syndicate

An Ipswich real estate receptionist has faced court after failing to report as part of bail conditions after he was charged in connection to a $400,000 drug bust.

Lucio Giovanni Caso outside Cleveland Magistrates Court.

An Ipswich real estate receptionist has faced court after failing to report as part of his bail conditions after a 12-month police operation allegedly uncovered a huge distribution network for cocaine, meth, heroine and restricted drugs.

Tivoli man Lucio Giovanni Caso, 21, pleaded guilty in Cleveland Magistrates Court on Thursday, November 17, to one count of breaching bail conditions.

The court heard Mr Caso failed to report to Cleveland Police Station on September 16 this year after being granted bail for 11 charges, including drug trafficking, possessing dangerous drugs and possessing property suspected of being used in a drug offence.

“ (Mr Caso) said he did not report as he was held back at work,” police prosecutor Sergeant Duncan Blackburn said.

Mr Caso has been identified as one of nine people charged after a 12-month police operation which uncovered the distribution of cocaine, meth, heroin and restricted drugs in the Redlands.

Operation Tango Eel targeted the distribution of cocaine and methylamphetamine from a number of properties and vehicles searched across the region.

Redlands police officers seized 1.1kg of cocaine, 1.1kg of methylamphetamine, 263g of MDMA, $22,166 in cash and a 2017 BMW M4 as part of the operation.

Mr Caso’s lawyer, Caprice Gobie-Smith, said her client had moved to Tivoli in Ipswich to remove himself from drug use.

“He’s currently employed as a receptionist at a real estate agency, he works full time,” Ms Gobi-Smith said.

“He is participating in narcotics anonymous at the moment.”

Magistrate Deborah Vasta said Mr Caso should learn from his offences.

“You’ve been doing the right thing so far, so I’ll put this down to a learning experience,” Ms Vasta said.

Ms Vasta reviewed Mr Caso’s bail conditions.

“I think it’s going to be counter-productive for you to go two times a week and associate yourself with people outside the police station,” Ms Vasta said.

“I think if you report twice a week you start to label yourself as a criminal.

“I’m going to take you off those bail conditions now.”

His bail conditions were revoked.

Mr Caso is due to appear in Cleveland Magistrates court on December 15 for registry committal.