Richard Schaaf: Alleged Comanchero granted bail on drug supply charges
A towering man who police say is a senior Comanchero is alleged to have directed a criminal group in selling drugs in Sydney’s south. However, he has been granted bail to live with his mother after a friend offered up $100,000 surety.
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A man who police say is a high-ranking Comanchero has been granted bail to live with his mum as he awaits trial for a string of offences related to an alleged drug supply network.
Richard Schaaf successfully applied for release at the Supreme Court on Thursday after pledging to wear a GPS tracker on his ankle and a friend offered a $100,000 security to seal his freedom.
Justice David Davies ruled in favour of Schaaf’s application sighting his wife’s need for support raising the couple’s two children and a lengthy delay in the Crown case that would likely see him locked up for almost two years before his trial began.
The 27-year-old was collared in May 2019 at his townhouse in Sylvania and charged with dealing more than 250g of cocaine in western Sydney from November 2018 until his arrest.
Police allege he directed a criminal group that was selling the drugs from a home in Doonside, a property identified as a “location of interest” due to regular visits from he and Comanchero associates.
Schaaf was also charged with possessing more than $109,177 in cash, a 2017 Mercedes Benz GLE63 worth $120,000, and a red Toyota Hilux worth $15,000, all of which police say are the proceeds of crime.
A previous bid for bail was denied at Penrith Local Court last week, when his matter was listed for charge certification – but that was adjourned for one month.
Justice Davies this week said that delay meant any trial date would now not take place until the first half of 2021, which he found concerning.
“This is not a case involving a large amount of drug importation or even a large amount of supply … on the scale of things,” he said.
Justice Davies told Schaaf, who appeared via video link, this was his “last chance” to comply with bail conditions, following a history of breaches.
Schaaf was on bail at the time of his arrest for property and traffic offences, the court heard, and had in the past flaunted orders banning him from contacting members of outlaw motorcycle groups.
The court heard defence barrister Peter Lang argued in an affidavit that the Crown’s circumstantial case hedged on phone intercepts of calls Schaaf allegedly made to alleged accomplices.
The defence will argue there were “innocent” explanations for those conversations and one recording revealed Schaaf made a “flat denial” that he was supplying large amounts of drugs.
Justice Davies ordered Schaaf live with his mother in Marrickville, not leave the house without her, wear the GPS tracker, not approach points of international departure and report daily to Marrickville police station.
The drug matters will return to Penrith Local Court on May 1.
Another set of domestic violence charges, including stalking and harassment offences, will return to Sutherland Local Court on March 18.
