Former prison officer Stephen Gary Crisp denied bail on drugs, weapons charges

A former prison officer who police say was found with weapons and as much as $1m worth of meth in central Queensland after leaving Brisbane during a Covid-19 lockdown has been denied bail.

A former Corrective Services officer, who has been charged with possession of more than a kilogram of methylamphetamine, has been refused bail in the Supreme Court.

Stephen Gary Crisp also was charged with failure to comply with COVID-19 direction offences, for allegedly travelling from locked-down Brisbane to Yeppoon on the day of his arrest.

On August 5, officers from Operation Tango Negative executed a search warrant at a Yeppoon address, northeast of Rockhampton.

Police later alleged that a substance believed to be methylamphetamine with a street value of $500,000 to $1 million, was found at the property.

A loaded gun, inside a sock, a pistol silencer, ammunition and other drug-related equipment also were allegedly found.

Crisp, 37, was charged with two counts of unlawful possession of a weapon.

He also was charged with possessing dangerous drugs, unlawful possession of restricted drugs, possessing property suspected of being the proceeds of an offence, possession of a knife and other drug and weapon-related offences.

Police searching residence in Yeppoon.

Solicitor Andrew Owens asked Supreme Court Justice David Boddice to grant Crisp bail on various conditions, including that he live with his parents in NSW.

Mr Owens said because Crisp had had a career as a Corrective Services officer, he had concerns for his safety, if held in custody.

Mr Owens said Crisp’s parents would offer a $20,000 surety, he could wear a GPS tracker, abide by a curfew, have movement restrictions and undergo drug tests.

However, bail was opposed by the prosecution.

Justice David Boddice said police had intercepted Crisp, near Yeppoon, after he travelled from Brisbane on August 5.

When they searched a Yeppoon property they found what the Crown alleged was methylamphetamine in various locations, including under a kitchen sink, in a freezer and in Crisp’s vehicle.

The prosecution is still awaiting drug analysis results, after previous inconclusive tests.

Justice Boddice said it would be alleged more than a kilogram of the drug was found, as well as a handgun, a silencer, a knife, ammunition, a restricted drug and $1804 in cash.

Although another man was charged with various offences, it is alleged Crisp was the primary offender.

Justice Boddice said it was not a weak case, although there would be issues over who owned the vast quantity of drugs and weapons.

He said Crisp had reason to be concerned that if he was convicted he could face a lengthy period of imprisonment and that would give him a reason to flee if he had an opportunity.

There also was a risk of him committing further offences.

Justice Boddice said if Crisp, who had ties to Queensland, lived in NSW he would be away from the attention of Queensland police.

Justice Boddice said there were no conditions that could reduce the risk of Crisp failing to appear in court and the risks “astronomically increased” if he was in NSW.