Mt Druitt rapper Crew Paleso’o in court after pleading not guilty to commercial drug supply

A prominent Sydney rapper has appeared in court after he was arrested during a police strike force targeting alleged drug supply in the city’s west.

Crew Paleso’o, 27, of Plumpton, appeared before Mt Druitt Local Court on Tuesday..

A western Sydney rapper who featured in songs with members of infamous rap group OneFour will remain behind bars on remand after being implicated in an alleged drug syndicate.

Crew Paleso’o, 27, of Plumpton, appeared before Mt Druitt Local Court on Tuesday charged with supplying a commercial quantity of a prohibited drug, knowingly directing activities of a criminal group and knowingly and recklessly dealing with the proceeds of crime.

In December 2022, officers attached to the State Crime Command’s raptor squad – targeting OMCGs and any associated criminal enterprises – launched an investigation into alleged drug supply in Sydney’s west.

Following inquiries, police searched two homes in Marsden Park and Plumpton about 6am on January 12.

Officers allegedly located two luxury Rolex watches valued at more at $134,000, gold jewellery, and $30,000 in cash believed to be proceeds from crime in Plumpton, as well as 813g cocaine in Marsden Park.

Western Sydney rapper Kapulet aka Crew Palesoo.

Mr Paleso’o was arrested following the operation and was taken to Blacktown Police Station where he was charged.

Paleso’o, who performs under his stage name Kapulet, has more than 15,000 followers on Instagram, 4000 followers on the popular app TikTok, and more than 2 million views on YouTube.

His lawyer Greg James told the court that Paleso’o, who appeared via AVL from Silverwater prison, had not been directly implicated in police facts tendered to court, which outlined the alleged criminal enterprise.

“There are only vague assertions of Paleso’s’s role, and no real detail,” Mr James said.

“On the face of the evidence, the drugs matter will not be established to any extent at all.”

Mr James claimed police had implicated Paleso’o after allegedly establishing him as “MK”, a moniker used in phones calls, texts, and encrypted messages police seized between Paleso’o and two others.

In one instance, Paleso’o is alleged to have asked Harrison – a third man identified in the police facts – to get him some “boring acid” to “make something look shiny and expensive”, Mr James said.

“The subsequent event is said to identify Paleso’o as ‘MK’, because he was organised to meet with Harrison at the Lucy cafe in Westfield in Mt Druitt,” Mr James said.

“After an exchange of messages, Paleso’o rocks up and there is some exchange between them, the nature of which is not known. All that is relied on by police is to show that Paleso’o might be MK.

“The assumption is that there is only one person using that designation, and that it was used for some illicit purpose.”

NSW Police allegedly located two luxury watches, gold jewellery, cocaine, cannabis, MDMA, about $50,000 cash, and electronic devices during raids earlier this month. Picture: NSW Police

NSW Police allegedly located two luxury watches, gold jewellery, cocaine, cannabis, MDMA, about $50,000 cash, and electronic devices during raids earlier this month. Picture: NSW Police

Magistrate George Breton told the court police believed the three men involved in the alleged enterprise had joined forces through an encrypted phone application sometime in 2022.

“When police stopped Harrison in November, it set off the chain of events,” Mr Breton said.

“The involvement of Paleso’o is not well described in the fact sheets.

“He is mentioned only in relation to three specific areas: a text conversation, a mobile phone call with Harrison where he is described as being ‘MK’, and a meeting between the pair which is said to further their association.”

Magistrate Breton said police did not discover any drug paraphernalia during the raid on his Plumpton home.

But, officers did allegedly locate jewellery, watches, and $30,000 stored in a Nike box

Paleso’o told officers the money was his savings, which police allege was not a reasonable explanation.

He also allegedly stated a Mercedes car at the property was not his own, but that he was “allowed” to drive it.

The court also heard Paleso’o, in addition to his music career, works as a project manager at a concreting firm.

Another two men were arrested during the January raids, before being taken to Blacktown Police Station.

Keanan Vilianu Pao Carroll, 29, was charged with supplying a commercial quantity of a prohibited drug, knowingly dealing with proceeds of crime, and participating in a criminal group contributing criminal activity.

Appearing before Mt Druitt Local Court on Tuesday, Carroll withdrew an application for bail.

He will reappear before the same court on March 6, the same day as Paleso’o.

Paleso’o Simon, 28, of Plumpton, appeared in Mt Druitt Local Court on January 18 charged with two counts of supplying a commercial quantity of a prohibited drug, and one count of supplying a prohibited plant.

Court documents reveal police allegedly busted Simon with 89 capsules of MDMA, 15g of cocaine, and 193g of cannabis leaf. He was released on bail, but is barred from accessing a mobile phone or encrypted apps.

Paleso’o Simon will reappear before Blacktown Local Court on February 8.