Byron Shire man Kirin Desmon Papa to deny cocaine ring charges

Police say they seized drugs and $25,000 cash in the four raids across the Byron Shire, which led to a string of arrests.

Seven men have been charged with drug offences following two separate investigations into the ongoing supply of cocaine in the Byron Bay area. Following extensive inquiries, about 1pm on Thursday 22 April 2021, strike force investigators – with assistance from officers at Tweed/Byron and Richmond Police Districts and other specialist resources – executed four search warrants at a Byron Bay business and at homes in Byron Bay, Bangalow and Mullumbimby. Source NSW Police

Two Byron Shire residents involved in an alleged cocaine ring across the region will plead not guilty to the charges.

Kirin Desmon Papa, 31, fronted Byron Bay Local Court on Monday, August 2.

The court heard he would plead not guilty to supplying a prohibited drug, namely cocaine.

Papa was among a group arrested over the alleged supply of cocaine in a string of raids across the Byron Shire in April this year.

Police will allege they seized about 340 grams of cocaine and more than $25,000 in cash across four search warrants in the Byron Bay, Mullumbimby and Bangalow areas.

Those charges relate to the same alleged cocaine ring which former Home and Away and Heartbreak High actor Putu Winchester-Stanton, 44, has been charged in relation to.

He faces a large number of charges, including knowingly directing a criminal group, various cocaine supply charges and drug possession and is yet to enter any formal pleas.

Co-accused Alyse Rose Cameron, 34, also appeared before Byron Local Court on Monday for a bail application.

She is charged with two counts of larceny, taking part in the supply of a prohibited drug and participating in a criminal group activity.

Police will allege Cameron had a part to play in the supply of 55.81 grams of cocaine in the Mullumbimby area between January 13 and February 25 this year, along with her co-accused.

In court documents they have alleged the accused were all involved in this alleged offending “for the common purpose of supplying a prohibited drug for financial gain” and that Cameron “was in an active participant in her role within this criminal group”.

The court previously heard she intended to plead not guilty to these charges.

According to court documents, the larceny charge she has pleaded guilty to involved the theft of five large bath towels, 12 tea towels, three bed sheets, three bath mats and a Sun Fresh linen bag from Elements of Byron Resort between April 21 and 22 this year.

During the Monday proceedings, Cameron’s bail application was withdrawn and dismissed.

Magistrate Karen Stafford adjourned all of Cameron’s matters for a charge certification mention on September 15.

Papa’s matter was adjourned for further mention on August 9 where his counsel is to file notice of witnesses for his case.