Operation Ironside: Brisbane carpenter Christopher John Spurling granted bail

A Brisbane carpenter arrested in Operation Ironside raids has had his $1.4m bank account frozen and will have to wear a tracking device after being granted bail.

A Brisbane carpenter’s $1.4m bank account has been frozen and he will have to wear a tracking device on job sites after his arrest following a massive police operation.

CS build owner Christopher John Spurling, 33, was granted bail in the Brisbane Supreme Court on Tuesday after his sister put up a $200,000 surety to guarantee his release.

He was charged with trafficking in dangerous drugs (serious organised crime), unlawful trafficking in weapons and possessing anything used in the commission of a crime (encrypted device) following Australia’s largest ever crime bust, Operation Ironside.

The father to a six-month-old baby will only be allowed to use one mobile phone with no encryption apps, must report to police three times a week, and has a strict curfew between 9pm-5am.

MAPPED AND NAMED: 26 Queenslanders caught in Operation Ironside

A police raid as part of Operation Ironside, Australia’s largest ever crime bust. Picture: AFP

In a subsequent hearing this morning, Justice Peter Flanagan granted a temporary order to freeze Spurling’s $1.4 million bank account until Friday, when the court will decide if the account will remain frozen throughout all criminal proceedings.

Spurling will only have access to $4000 and has to apply to the court to pay reasonable living costs and legal fees.

Legal officer Leonie Loadsman, representing the Queensland Government, argued for the state to seize both the bank account and Spurling’s 2015 Range Rover if he is found guilty.

During the bail application, Justice Flanagan said Spurling was accused of being involved in a criminal syndicate that trafficked drugs and weapons.

“Once this operation came to light, there is telephone intercepts suggesting that $700,000 for example has been lost in relation to one deal,” Justice Flanagan said.

Spurling’s lawyer Craig Eberhardt initially argued against the tracking device due to safety concerns for Spurling while he is on construction sites.

“He works in residential construction and my concern is having a device around his ankle could pose safety risks, particularly if he were to fall from height,” Mr Eberhardt.

However, Justice Flanagan ordered a tracking device to be included as a condition of bail with accommodations to be made for safety.

The court heard Spurling has very strong ties to his community, having begun dating his partner while in high school.

He has no criminal history and will live with his family in his father-in-law’s Stafford home while on bail.

Co-accused Springwood plasterer Ernesto Antonio Silva, 33, was granted bail last week with a $100,000 surety and under the condition he must wear a tracking device.

Co-accused Benjamin Joseph Haycock is expected to apply for bail next week.