Simon Matthew Hannam: Bragged he cornered Redlands drug market, court hears

A court has heard an accused meth trafficker allegedly operated from a well known bayside pub from where he bragged about his success in “cornering” the Redlands drug market.

A court has heard a man allegedly embroiled in a major drug operation with alleged bikie links is alleged to have bragged on a tapped phone that he was “glad to finally have cornered the Redlands” drug market after “working his a**e off”.

Simon Matthew Hannam, 45, of Capalaba, did not apply for bail as much of the Cleveland criminal law firm community was “conflicted out” while representing some of the 41 other co-accused charged by police as part of Operation Tango Citron.

A total of 113kg of marijuana was found in the police raids.

Magistrate Deborah Vasta advised it would be unwise for the former Wakerley resident to apply for bail without representation as he stood accused of participation in such a serious alleged operation.

Ms Vasta noted that Comanchero bikie gang member, Adam Christopher White, 33, was alleged by police to have led the drug operation in which police seized 100kg of cannabis, commercial quantities of cocaine and meth and $500,000 in cash.

Hannam was not charged with any offences indicating he is part of a bikie gang.

The court heard police allege the operation involved the smuggling of drugs hidden in a semi-trailer that travelled interstate every two to three weeks.

Ms Vasta acknowledged that Hannam was accused of minor involvement, but said the case against him was strong.

The court heard $500,000 cash was seized during a police operation targeting a Comanchero drug syndicate in Brisbane's bayside.

He faced one count each of trafficking in dangerous drugs and possessing anything used in the commission of a crime defined in part 2.

The court heard Hannam was allegedly caught on a tapped mobile phone frequently discussing his growing success dealing meth in the Redlands with co-accused Bradley Graham Potts, 37, also from Capalaba.

Ms Vasta noted in one alleged exchange that Hannam allegedly bragged he was “glad to finally have cornered the Redlands” drug market after “working his a**e off”.

The court heard police alleged the exchanges between Potts and Hannam occurred “almost daily”.

Hannam, against Ms Vasta’s advice, attempted to downplay his alleged role.

“A lot I don’t even (allegedly) know anything about,” Hannam said.

He was remanded in custody and is next scheduled to appear on January 20.