James Andrew Castle charged with trafficking over alleged ‘Breaking Bad’ meth lab at Pinkenba

An accused drug trafficker who allegedly returned to the scene of his own Breaking Bad-style meth lab as police were raiding it and claimed he was there for a job interview has been refused bail.

An accused drug trafficker who allegedly returned to the scene of his own Breaking Bad style meth lab as police were raiding it and claimed he was there for a job interview has been refused bail.

James Andrew Castle, 44, is one of four people charged by police over an alleged role in the clandestine drug lab found by detectives in a warehouse at Pinkenba on June 6.

He faced Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday charged with trafficking in dangerous drugs (serious organised crime), producing dangerous drugs, attempt to possess a commercial quantity of unlawfully imported border controlled drugs, dealing in the proceeds of crime and other offences.

The alleged meth lab found by police.

Also charged are Cade Deane Fara, 37, and Christopher Keith Maney, 38, who are facing charges of drug trafficking (serious organised crime), producing dangerous drugs, attempted possession of commercial quantities of unlawfully imported border controlled drugs, dealing in proceeds of crime along with other weapons and drug offences, and Xander James Perry, 19.

Police will allege they located an estimated 48 kilograms of meth and $583,000 in cash, a firearm, ammunition and a silencer, one kilo of cocaine, an amount of ketamine, a cash counter and a large amount of glassware and other items at the Lavarack Ave warehouse.

Police have alleged the method of cooking the meth used was the P2P method – the primary method for large-scale production in America and Mexico – and also the method used in the popular TV show “Breaking Bad”.

Inside the alleged clandestine drug lab raided by police in Pinkenba.

Police accuse Maney and Fara of managing and directing the drug trafficking network and paying Castle and Perry a weekly wage for their alleged roles.

Police will allege the pair instructed Castle and Perry regarding drug and cash deliveries.

It’s alleged Castle regularly attended the Pinkenba site to participate in drug trafficking and production, the court heard.

As the raid on the Pinkenba warehouse was unfolding police will allege intercepted communications reveal Fara saying to Maney: “Our DNA is everywhere … bro we’re doing a million years you know that”

During Maney‘s bail application early this week the court heard they told Castle to go to the warehouse as it was being searched by police.

Police will allege that when he arrived he told officers he was there for a job interview.

Outside the alleged clandestine drug lab raided by police in Pinkenba.

Police prosecutor Eddie Fraser opposed bail labelling the alleged drug production a “burgeoning plague”.

“Community protection is needed to stamp out this insidious apex of criminal enterprises such as trafficking in illicit substances which has a far reaching impact and causes significant health risks … in those unfortunate circumstances death caused by the use of these poisonous concoctions as a result of its production,” he said.

Christopher Maney was granted bail over his alleged role earlier in the week.

As part of his bail, Maney must attend at a year-long rehab facility.

Castle’s solicitor Brendan Beavon, of Beavon Lawyers, said his client had no criminal history, was not an alleged principal offender and would abide by strict bail conditions.

“There‘s no allegation Castle … has any knowledge of the drug operation itself,” he said.

Magistrate John Costanza said some of the offences carried up to 25 years imprisonment, if found guilty.

“This was obviously a very high scale commercial operation that he was involved with,” Mr Costanza alleged.

Castle was refused bail and the matter adjourned to July 10.