Campsie man Jason Pakalani Tuiono applies for bail on drug charges

A Campsie concreter allegedly found with $200,000 worth of ice and a loaded gun in Canberra has applied for bail, with alleged ties to bikies and his criminal history emerging.

Jason Pakalani Tuiono applied for bail in the ACT Magistrates Court on March 8, 2023. Picture: ACT Policing

An accused Campsie drug dealer with alleged ties to bikies has been denied bail as new details of his background and arrest emerge.

Jason Pakalani Tuiono was arrested on March 2 after a mechanic allegedly uncovered a handgun underneath the driver’s seat of his BMW.

Police allegedly found $200,000 worth of meth, ammunition and $2500 cash in Mr Tuiono’s possession after an investigation.

The 33-year-old construction worker was charged with unauthorised possession of a prohibited firearm, possessing ammunition and trafficking a controlled substance.

He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Cash allegedly found during Mr Tuiono’s arrest. Picture: ACT Policing

Details of Mr Tuiono’s past and his alleged criminal dealings emerged during a bail hearing in ACT Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

These allegations arose during evidence given by an ACT Policing officer who alleged Mr Tuiono was an associate of the Finks Outlaw Motorcycle Gang.

Mr Tuiono was also found to be on parole for armed robbery and would have it revoked due to his charges in the ACT.

Defence lawyer Peter Woodhouse suggested there was no evidence Mr Tuiono had ties to bikies other than a police system tracking his identity.

Mr Tuiono was charged with unauthorised possession of a prohibited firearm, possessing ammunition, and trafficking a controlled substance. Picture: ACT Policing

Mr Woodhouse stated the firearm had not been tested for fingerprints and had not been fired to prove it could work.

In response, the officer said their specialist firearm team said the weapon worked and was loaded when it was found.

The court heard Mr Tuiono told police he had bought the BMW two days before his arrest with Mr Woodhouse stating a different name was on its registrations in the days before his client’s arrest.

Magistrate Louise Taylor said police alleged photos of a tick list and of Mr Tuiono holding substances in a photo were also found on his phone after his arrest.

Ms Taylor denied Mr Tuiono’s bail due to his criminal history.

His matters were adjourned to April 20.