Nathan Bertucci: Accused Melbourne ice importer bid for bail

A Central Coast father-of-two was all but off the radar of major law enforcement authorities until he allegedly masterminded a $150 million ice importation into Melbourne, a court has heard.

A Central Coast father-of-two was all but off the radar of major law enforcement authorities until the 33-year-old allegedly masterminded a $150 million ice importation into Melbourne, a court has heard.

The Supreme Court heard on Thursday of the elaborate lengths police allege Nathan Bertucci went to disguise his alleged elaborate enterprise including the use of fake identities, safe houses, ‘dry runs’ and sophisticated technology such as VPNs.

Nathan Bertucci is accused of importing ice from Canada.

The crown prosecutor alleged Bertucci, who was applying for bail, “piggybacked” off a legitimate Melbourne-based whitegoods company to avoid scrutiny. It was alleged Bertucci used a fake identity of a man who purported to be a legitimate employee of the company to co-ordinate the illegal shipments.

The court heard evidence the email address of the ‘employee’ was accessed off Bertucci’s home Wi-Fi on one occasion and another man, who is now dead, would make the payments to the logistics company.

The father-of-two was charged with drug importation late last year.

The shipment which is the subject of Bertucci’s 200kg drug importation charge landed in Melbourne, from Canada, last April. Australian Federal Police officers seized the cargo and found the black plastic-wrapped cardboard boxes didn’t contain whitegoods, but rather bags of high-purity methamphetamine.

The court also heard the father-of-two allegedly rented a safe house in Carlingford under a fake name.

Bertucci’s barrister Ian Lloyd SC poked holes at the police case stating it was “clearly defensible” and highlighted his client was never under surveillance and there was no evidence he was physically near the drugs. He suggested associates of Mr Bertucci could be responsible for the emails sent by the ‘employee’ organising the shipments of narcotics.

Mr Lloyd said the father-of-two should be bailed as the “complex” trial may be delayed, and offered a $500,000 surety and electronic bracelet monitoring.

Justice Peter Hamill reserved his decision until later next week