More guns allegedly found at Zenon Barry Joannou’s Paradise home after drug lab bust

Police say they’ve found more guns while dismantling a drug lab in Adelaide’s northeastern suburbs, with one man facing more charges.

Police say they have found more guns at the home of a “dangerous man” with a history of manufacturing meth, who was arrested and charged after officers allegedly uncovered a drug lab in his Paradise home.

Zenon Barry Joannou, 45, was refused bail in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Wednesday after being charged with multiple firearms offences, trafficking in and manufacturing a controlled drug and possessing the equipment to do so.

Police now say he faces more drug and gun charges after a search continued at his home on Wednesday.

Two additional firearms – a revolver and a lever-action shotgun – were allegedly seized from the property, as well as more glassware and chemicals in a car at the address.

On Wednesday, Magistrate Luke Davis disagreed with submissions on behalf of Mr Joannou that any danger to the community would be moderated if he was released on home detention bail.

“I’ll just be frank, not even close,” Mr Davis said.

Zenon Barry Joannou appeared in court on Wednesday. Picture: SAPOL

A loaded gun was found at the Paradise home. Picture: SAPOL

The drug lab is dismantled by police officers. Picture: SAPOL

“You are a dangerous man, you have many priors for carrying an offensive weapon, you have been sentenced in the District Court, I note it’s in 2012, but that was for manufacture a controlled drug for sale and firearms offences.”

Zenon Joannou is led into Adelaide Magistrates Court on Wednesday. Picture: SAPOL

Mr Davis said he “took with a grain of salt” submissions from Omar Ali, for Mr Joannou, that his client would be caring for his sick mother and son while on bail.

The court heard Mr Joannou received prior convictions for manufacturing controlled drugs and firearm offences and served four years in jail.

The Paradise man was arrested on Wednesday after police allegedly discovered a clandestine drug lab and a loaded weapon after a search of his northeastern suburbs home about 1pm on Tuesday.

A secret drug lab was found in the shed outside the Paradise home.

Police allegedly found a clandestine laboratory as well as the loaded gun.

In court on Wednesday, prosecutors alleged police located the drug lab in the shed outside the Paradise home and about 100g meth.

Police say officers from the Serious and Organised Crime branch were assisting with the investigation and would remain at the scene throughout Wednesday and possibly Thursday.

Mr Davis refused bail, and remanded Mr Joannou in custody to face court again in June next year.

Originally published as More guns allegedly found at Zenon Barry Joannou’s Paradise home after drug lab bust