Zain Papa: Bangalow man pleads guilty to cocaine supply

A Bangalow man’s cocaine dealing came unstuck when a Sakata packet was handed over in front of a Bangalow pub. But there were no rice crackers inside.

Cocaine dealer Zain Papa’s undoing came in front of a Bangalow hotel as a man handed him a Sakata packet in what was a seemingly innocent interaction.

But there were no rice crackers inside on February 23 last year, just $9000 cash.

The 30-year-old then drove a HiLux to his home at Leopard Crescent, Bangalow, before returning with the same Sakata packet.

Its contents had been replaced with 27.68g of cocaine.

According to court facts, the drug deal came after months of monitoring from Strike Force Tulipa, which was formed in October 2020 to investigate drug supply around Byron Bay and Bangalow.

Papa’s co-accused Kayne Vandermerwe – who has pleaded guilty to his charges – brought the household to police attention after dealing cocaine to an undercover officer.

Police were granted permission to intercept the pairs’ phone calls and continued to gather evidence against using telephone intercepts, controlled activities, physical and electronic surveillance.

Zain Papa leaves Tweed Heads Court on February 18, 2022.

Papa was able to be identified through a camera in an interlock device in the HiLux which took photographs of the driver.

Police could distinguish Papa from his twin Kirin Papa, who is defending separate criminal matters – due to his chest tattoo.

Papa was arrested at his Bangalow home on April 22 after a police raid uncovered 31.95g of cocaine in his bedroom.

At first he denied the cocaine being his, stating his bedroom was in the empty downstairs lounge room.

While police were searching the home a woman attended the house and was found with $1350 cash in a plastic bag which she said she’d been asked to give to Papa.

She said she suspected the money was for drugs.

Papa pleaded guilty in Tweed Heads Local Court on Friday, February 18, to two counts of supplying cocaine and one count of driving when never had a licence.

His lawyer Demi Quadrio requested a sentencing assessment report and the matter was adjourned for sentence on April 26 in the same court.

Papa remains on bail.

His co-accused Vandermerwe is due to be sentenced in Lismore District Court on March 4.

Twin brother Kirin Papa will defend his separate charges in Byron Bay Local Court on March 8 at hearing.