Marcus James Graham in Coffs Harbour court on proceeds of crime, drugs charges

Cops who raided the home of a bus mechanic and found a cash stash of $44k were told it was the man’s “life-savings” from when he was a little boy - but his piggy bank story soon came unstuck when officers dug deeper.

Coffs Harbour courthouse. 05 NOV 2019

Cops who raided the home of a Busways mechanic and found a cash stash of $44,000 were told it was the man’s “life-savings” from when he was a little boy - but his piggy bank story soon came unstuck when officers dug deeper.

Marcus James Graham has pleaded guilty to recklessly dealing with the proceeds of crime and several drug supply charges.

The 32-year-old was found to have bundles of cash stashed throughout his house with different notes stuck to each.

According to police facts one note read ‘3100 short on weight’.

In total police found $44,210 in Australian currency, along with 1.6g of cannabis, 20mls of cannabis oil, a quantity of MDMA and steroid tablets.

Marcus Graham leaves Coffs Harbour court.

When probed about the money, Graham said it was all he had, and that he’d been saving it since he was eight years old.

But according to police facts, he changed his story and said it was a windfall from playing pokies. When questioned further he could not give a time or place of such a big win.

Police also questioned a number of clear resealable bags found with a “pink subtstance”. Graham said he had no idea what it was.

When Graham appeared in Coffs Harbour local court on February 12, Magistrate Theresa Hamilton said the funds were clearly the proceeds of crime.

Graham was arrested in August last year and is currently on bail.

The case has been adjourned to April 9.