Richard Lightfoot pleads guilty after 4kg of MDMA, 1kg of cocaine and $101,000 cash found in car
A northern beaches man has pleaded guilty after he was arrested on the Central Coast with 4kg of MDMA, 1kg of cocaine and $101,000 cash in a hidden compartment in his car.
Central Coast
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Richard Lightfoot faced Gosford Local Court on Tuesday where he pleaded guilty to five drug offences as well one count of knowingly deal with the proceeds of crime.
It comes 18 months after he was arrested about 12.40pm on June 4, 2019 at a car park on Wyong Rd, Mardi, where police seized 4kg of MDMA, 1kg of cocaine and $101,000 cash stashed in a hidden compartment in the car’s floor.
The MDMA had an estimated potential street value of $720,000, while the cocaine had an estimated potential street value of $300,000.
The sophisticated secret compartment even had its own built in lighting.
Lightfoot, then aged 33, of Beacon Hill, was arrested and taken to Wyong Police Station.
He was initially refused bail but it was granted in Wyong Local Court on June 25 after his solicitor submitted Lightfoot had significant medical issues, family requirements and was facing a lengthy stint in jail so he needed to be at liberty to get his affairs in order before he went inside.
After many court appearances and lengthy discussions between his lawyers and the Crown Lightfoot eventually pleaded guilty at Gosford Local Court on Tuesday to two counts of supplying a large commercial quantity of drugs, two counts of traffic in a marketable quantity of a controlled drug and knowingly deal with the proceeds of crime.
Two counts of supplying prohibited drugs and taking part in the supply of drugs were withdrawn and dismissed.
However the court heard there was still a dispute over the facts, which were not tendered.
Lightfoot was adjourned to the Downing Centre District Court on May 14 to fix a date for sentencing.
He will not be required to attend on that date if legally represented.
His charges came after detectives from the State Crime Command’s Organised Crime Squad established Strike Force Gilbulla in September 2017 to investigate the importation and supply of methylamphetamine.
In August 2018 strike force detectives seized 16kg of the drug ice, concealed in packaging containing bearings, addressed to a business at Terrigal.
The drugs had an estimated street value of $8 million.
Following the seizure police conducted six search warrants at properties in Berkeley Vale, Glenning Valley, Terrigal, Tuggerah and Wamberal.
A Terrigal man, then aged 42, was arrested and charged with two counts of importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug.
Along with the drugs, police seized $300,000 cash, a conductive electric device, documentation, and other items relevant to the investigation.
He remains before the courts.
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