No flights, no phone for alleged coke importer

A CENTRAL Coast man busted by police for allegedly trying to collect $4 million worth of cocaine is free on $1 million bail. He’s banned from using a BlackBerry or contacting his co-accused.

• Private schoolboy allegedly busted smuggling coke via mail

A Central Coast man busted by police for allegedly trying to collect $4 million worth of cocaine is free on $1 million bail.

Craig Phelps, 30, from Wamberal, who recently registered a fitness company has been banned from contacting his two co-accused in the alleged cocaine smuggling ring.

Phelps was arrested by the Australian Federal Police on September 12 in the Newcastle suburb of Adamstown while allegedly trying to pick up 15kg of cocaine which had been shipped from the US and closely watched by customs and Federal police.

Craig Phelps was arrested by the Australian Federal Police on September 12 while allegedly trying to pick up 15kg of cocaine which had been shipped from the US.

Co-accused Bennet Schwartz and his fiance Sarah Wakefield at their engagement party on August 29, 2015.

According to documents before the court, Phelps’ family has posted $1 million bail to secure his release on September 28.

He must report to Terrigal police daily but is free to travel to his job and the University of Newcastle. At all other times, when not at work or at the university, Phelps must be accompanied by his wife Karen or other family members named in the Downing Centre Local Court.

He has surrendered his passport to the police officer in charge of the investigation. He has also been banned from using a BlackBerry mobile phone and must not contact the accused mastermind of the cocaine ring, Roberto Zalapa, and high flying executive Bennet Schwartz, who are both in custody.

Cocaine siezed by the AFP which resulted in charges against Bennet Schwartz, Roberto Zalapa and Craig Phelps.

Meanwhile Mr Zalapa’s former boss at a meat exporting company Pastoral Industries Roy Holmberg in Rushcutters Bay, yesterday said he was shocked and surprised when he heard Phelps had been charged with importing cocaine.

Zalapa, 31, from Potts Point, quit his job as shipping manager for the company in April last year.

He did not say where he was going.

Craig Phelps has been ordered to surrender his passport while on bail.

Customs seized the first cocaine shipment from the US in August last year.

The men are due back in court later this month.