Stephen Gary Crisp and Gold Coast man Nathanael John Prange Yeppoon drug case court update

A Queensland man accused of escaping Covid lockdown and allegedly busted with more than 1kg of crystalline substance which is believed to be methamphetamines worth about $500,000 to $1 million wants to cross examine police witnesses.

One of the men accused of escaping Covid lockdown and being busted with more than 1kg of crystalline substance which is believed to be methamphetamines worth about $500,000 to $1 million wants to cross examine police witnesses.

Former prison officer Stephen Gary Crisp, 37, was charged after police allegedly found a staggering amount of drugs and weapons at a Serengeti Court, Yeppoon, residence on August 5, 2021.

Police also allegedly found about $1800 of cash, explosives (ammunition), a loaded Colt 45 calibre handgun with a silencer, a 22 magazine, and other items of interest during the search.

Mr Crisp was allegedly involved in transporting large amounts of drugs from Rockhampton to Brisbane in seven to 14-day drug runs.

He was allegedly found in possession of what was thought to be 1kg of methamphetamine, but was later analysed to be 264g of the drug.

Mr Crisp was charged with trafficking dangerous drugs, two counts of unlawful possession of a weapon, one count each of possessing dangerous drugs, unlawful possession of restricted drugs, possessing property suspected of being the proceeds of an offence, possession of a knife in a public place and other drug and weapon-related offences.

Mr Crisp’s lawyer Matthew Scott told Rockhampton Magistrates Court on February 2 that he had the full brief of evidence and he would be submitting an application to cross-examine witnesses before the case was committed to the higher courts.

Gold Coast man Nathanael John Prange, 40, was also charged with unlawful possession of a weapon, possessing dangerous drugs, unlawful possession of a restricted drug, possession of a knife in a public place and other drug and weapon-related offences.

Police will allege the pair travelled from locked-down Brisbane to Yeppoon on August 5.

They also alleged a loaded firearm was located on a kitchen bench and items were found all over the property including in freezers, where some of the drugs were reportedly found.

Mr Prange is represented by Mirren Smith at McGowran and Cagney Lawyers.

Ms Smith said the firm was only handed the case on February 1 and was attempting to set up a conference with Mr Prange, who was quarantining on the Gold Coast due to Covid.

She said she made inquiries with police about the brief of evidence and was told she would have to get it off her client.

Ms Smith said her client claimed he was not tech savvy and the lawyer firm was trying to give him instructions over the phone on how to share the brief via DropBox.

Mr Prange’s matters were adjourned until February 16.

Mr Crisp’s matters were adjourned until March 16.

Originally published as Stephen Gary Crisp and Gold Coast man Nathanael John Prange Yeppoon drug case court update