Jilliby: Luke Glassford, 42, charged over alleged Mid North Coast drug syndicate

A Central Coast gym owner was a key player, if not the principal, of a “sophisticated network” allegedly supplying large quantities of cannabis to the Mid North Coast, a court has heard.

World Gym Mackay owner Luke Glassford was charged with supplying cannabis to the Mid North Coast.

A 42-year-old man from Jilliby allegedly orchestrated the supply of large commercial quantities of cannabis from Victoria, to as far north as Queensland, inside hidden compartments of vehicles “for a number of years”, a court has heard.

Appearing via video link from custody, Luke Glassford faced Wyong Local Court on Thursday after being charged with 12 offences including three counts of supplying commercial quantities of a prohibited drug, two counts of knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, and knowingly direct the activities of criminal group.

Mr Glassford was arrested at his property on Brothers Rd, Jilliby, following an investigation by Mid North Coast Police officers attached to Strike Force Wokari.

The strike force was established to investigate the alleged supply of drugs in that region and following extensive inquiries, detectives — with assistance from Tuggerah Lakes Police — conducted a raid at Mr Glassford’s home about 9.30am on Tuesday.

During the search, police seized 17.5kg of cannabis, 340g of cocaine, 150 vials of steroids, ammunition, a prohibited weapon, $9700 cash, electronic devices and other items.

Mr Glassford was charged after police seized 17kg of cannabis at his property.

The items will undergo further examination.

Mr Glassford’s barrister Allan Goldsworthy applied for bail, telling the court his client owned two World Gym franchises at Mackay in Queensland, Prospect in western Sydney and was opening a third at Lambton near Newcastle.

Mr Glassford faced Wyong Local Court on Thursday.

He said Mr Glassford could abide by strict bail conditions that would place him effectively under “house arrest”.

He said Mr Glassford also had close community ties and had three people willing to post up to $250,000 in surety.

Mr Goldsworthy said the charges effectively fell in three categories, with the first two charges related to “ancient” allegations Mr Glassford supplied “hundreds of pounds” of cannabis back in 2017 and relied on a single witness.

He said the second tranche of charges — sequences three to nine — were born out of “voluminous” intercepted text messages and voice calls, which included “cryptic conversations”.

He said it was difficult, from the available material, to tell if the prosecution’s case was “strong or weak”, while the third tranche of charges stemmed from what was seized at Mr Glassford’s property.

Police also seized cocaine at Mr Glassford’s property. (File image)

Mr Goldsworthy said there was no evidence at this stage of any DNA, fingerprints and “no admissions” linking the items to Mr Glassford.

The court heard the items were allegedly located in a caravan on the property and inside a hollow tree stump covered with vegetation.

The police prosecutor opposed bail, telling the court the telephone intercepts were corroborated by mobile phone tower data and eye witnesses, and Mr Glassford had been under investigation for a “prolonged” period which explained why some of the charges dated back to 2017.

Magistrate Justin Peach said the first tranche of charges alleged Mr Glassford was a significant player “if not the principal” of a sophisticated drug network transporting cannabis from Victoria to Queensland “secreted in compartments”.

Magistrate Peach said the allegations involving the second group of charges stemmed from the Australian Federal Police’s Operation Ironside investigation into encrypted phones, in which Mr Glassford allegedly had a username which was captured “arranging the supply of cannabis in the hundreds of pounds”.

Magistrate Peach refused Mr Glassford bail and adjourned the matter until February 21.