Man who flaunted flashy lifestyle on Facebook appeals drug trafficking conviction

A Canberra man who flaunted his flashy lifestyle on social media is appealing his conviction for high level drug trafficking.

Brendan Baker was fond of posing with his Mercedes on Facebook.

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A Canberra man found guilty of high level drug trafficking to support a flashy lifestyle he flaunted on Facebook has lodged an appeal.

Brendan Baker’s colourful Supreme Court trial heard evidence of designer drugs purchased on the dark net with Bitcoin, MDMA concealed in a pink Barbie lunch box, death threats over drug debts and covert police operations.

A sentencing hearing on Thursday heard Baker is appealing 11 charges he was found guilty of in June, including trafficking MDMA, cocaine, methylamphetamine and cannabis, attempting to import a synthetic drug from China and dealing with the proceeds of crime.

Baker is appealing after being found guilty in June of drug trafficking and dealing with the proceeds of crime.

Prosecutor Darren Renton had highlighted Mr Baker’s lavish lifestyle including his ownership of five cars over three years — a Mercedes CLA 445, BMW 320i, Volkswagen Golf, BMW23 Convertible and Subaru Forester Station Wagon.

The 28-year-old was fond of posing with the Mercedes on Facebook and posted a video of him gifting one of the BMW’s to his grandmother.

A central theme of the Crown’s case was these purchases, his ownership of an up-market cafe in Kingston, cash deposits of more than $88,000 and plans to buy a block of land in Taylor were irreconcilable with Mr Baker’s reported income.

The Crown’s case highlighted Mr Baker’s ownership of flash cars which were at odds with his reported income. Pictures: Facebook

On Thursday the court heard from forensic psychologist Leesa Morris who said Baker had suffered from a “persistent depressive disorder” since his teenage years.

Ms Morris said “adverse childhood experiences” including the separation of his parents when he was young and his mother’s problems with drugs and alcohol had led to issues with “self esteem and identity development”.

Baker’s barrister Astrid Haban-Beer described him as a “model prisoner” who had participated in every course available to him since being locked up.

“The difficulties and challenges Mr baker experienced as a child are relevant to his vulnerabilities as an adult,” she said.

Baker volunteering with youth in India.

His history of volunteering for the fire service, in soup kitchens and with youth in India were proof of his capacity to contribute positively to the community upon release, she said.

She said Baker had lodged an appeal.

Prosecutor Darren Renton said a report prepared by Ms Morris accepted Baker’s version of events on “face value” and made no attempt to reconcile that information with external, independent sources.

He said Baker stood to make “substantial profits” from “high level drug trafficking” with $2 million exchanged between him and a drug dealer turned police informant.

“The evidence did not demonstrate vulnerability, the evidence demonstrated business acumen and looking at opportunities to make significant sums of money,” Mr Renton said.

Baker’s lawyer said his history of helping others was proof he could make a positive contribution to society upon release.

The prosecution’s case hinged on evidence from the informant who spun a colourful tale which included Baker’s plans to import a synthetic drug from China purchased on the dark net with cryptocurrency.

He also claimed Baker delivered a kilogram of MDMA, worth $36,000, to him in a pink Barbie lunch box.

Mr Baker’s barrister Astrid Haban-Beer said the informant could not be trusted because he had a selfish motive to concoct a story that would incriminate Mr Baker to keep himself out of jail.

Brendan Baker getting ripped at the gym.

Brendan Baker

She told the court that while Baker was keen to boast about his expensive purchases on social media, he lived in a share house like most people his age.

His ownership of Remedy cafe in Kingston and a building supplies business was proof he had earnt an honest living running businesses in which cash is commonly used, she said.

While she said Mr Baker was “no young Australian of the year”, his “desperation to impress his friends, potential girlfriends and even his nanna” on social media did not make him a drug trafficker.

Justice John Burns will sentence Baker on September 6.