Baker, aspiring music star and father-and-son among 11 charged over ice, cannabis ring
A BAKER, aspiring heavy metal star and a father-and-son are among 11 charged over an ice and cannabis dealing syndicate operating in the state’s central west and Lake Illawarra.
NSW
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A BAKER, aspiring heavy metal star and a father-and-son are among 11 charged over an ice and cannabis dealing syndicate operating in the state’s central west and Lake Illawarra.
Wearing nothing but a pair of old footy shorts, the alleged head of the Parkes based arm of the syndicate, Daniel ‘Danny’ Gil, was charged with 185 offences, including commercial ice supply, participation in a criminal group and supplying firearms.
Multiple rifle-style firearms were seized from Gil’s Parkes house as heavily armed officers stormed it at dawn last Thursday.
Officers also confiscated his ute, alleging it was used to distribute ice in the Parkes region over the course of the investigation.
Central West Police District officers formed Strike Force Foment in June 2017 to investigate the supply of prohibited drugs in the state’s west.
During raids of six properties in Parkes, Forbes and Bogan gate, officers seized 80kg of cannabis, 380g of methylamphetamine ‘ice’, 70g of MDMA, cocaine and ecstasy pills, cash, and firearms.
Baker Mark Massurit, 28, was arrested by stunned colleagues as he was working in a Woolworth’s bakery and hauled into a paddy wagon wile still wearing his uniform.
When questioned by a reporter, Massurit replied he was being arrested “apparently on drug charges”.
The father of one has since been charged with supplying a prohibited drug.
Father of two Lyndon Southwell, 34, a successful manager and lead guitarist of Orange-based metal band Infested Entrails, has also been charged with drug supply.
The band, which boasts close to 5000 followers on Facebook, has recently played gigs in Sydney and Dubbo.
Luke Wakefield’s online profile shows the 36-year-old as a talented regional artist who loves visiting the zoo with his partner and spending time with his young daughter.
He was also charged with drug supply and along with his four co-accused and a fifth man appeared in Parkes Local Court on Friday.
Acting on information from the Central West Police District, Lake Illawarra Police District formed Strike Force Hulbert to investigate the ongoing supply of prohibited drugs in the Illawarra.
So far, the Illawarra-based investigation has resulted in the seizure of more than 100kg of cannabis, 168g of methylamphetamine, 75g of MDMA and 83g of cocaine.
Six men were arrested in Lake Illawarra including father and son Jose de Gouveia, 53, and his son Josh, 23.
The group face 97 charges including supplying a prohibited drug and dealing with the proceeds of crime.
Jose de Gouveia’s online profile paints him as a car enthusiast who appears a loving husband and grandfather, tinkers with muscle cars and rides his motorbike on weekends.
Both men were refused bail and appeared at Wollongong Local Court on Friday. Jose de Gouveia was refused bail to reappear on May 9.