Strike Force Gooroa: Timothy John Baird pleads guilty to ice supply at The Entrance

A street level ice dealer has pleaded guilty, while his alleged upline supplier remains in custody, as the fallout from Strike Force Gooroa continues to be felt among the coast’s criminal milieu.

An ice dealer who used rudimentary code words with his upline supplier, such as `burger’ or `hamburger’ to describe amounts of methylamphetamine, has pleaded guilty.

Timothy John Baird, of The Entrance, faced Wyong Local Court on Tuesday via video link where he pleaded guilty to three counts of supplying methylamphetamine on an ongoing basis.

It comes after Tuggerah Lakes Proactive Crime Team officers launched Strike Force Gooroa in September 2021.

Officers obtained telephone intercepts for the 48-year-old’s mobile phone and that of his alleged upline supplier, who was living at an address in Currawong St, Blue Bay.

An agreed set of facts state the intercepted calls between September 23, 2021 and December 19, 2021, established Baird purchased methylamphetamine from his upline supplier and “the two had a business-style relationship”.

Baird pleaded guilty in Wyong Local Court on Tuesday. (AAP Image/Sue Graham)

During the intercepted calls Baird and his upline supplier would use simple code words such as hamburger or burger to describe amounts of drugs and “paperwork” in reference to money or payment.

It became clear through the intercepted calls Baird was often late or slow in organising his payments as a “user/dealer” who was supplying drugs to fund his own addiction.

One phone call, on October 4, they were intercepted having the following exchange:

Baird: “Just want to grab a hamburger with someone.”

Upline supplier: “Yeah well have you done the paper work yet?”

Baird: “I will have it this arvo when I get back.”

Upline supplier: “Yeah but the last two you f..ked me up for bro. I wasn’t supposed to be waiting for you to sell to pay them you know what I mean? Do you understand what I’m saying to you, do you understand bro?”

A “hamburger” meant something a bit different to Baird and his upline supplier than what most people think. (File image)

On another call on December 3 Baird discussed the money he owed his upline supplier.

Supplier: “Yeah but well, where’s the money then. I gave it to you yesterday bro I gave you a half ball, where’s the money, like f..king where is it””

Baird: “I’ll go and see what I can get now then. I’m waiting for it to come in, it’s all out on tick, like it’s out on tick.”

Police conducted surveillance and captured video and photographs of Baird and his supplier.

“The offender was purchasing methylamphetamine from (his supplier) for the purpose of supply,” the facts state.

“The offender was receiving a financial benefit from the purchases through onselling the product. He was also receiving a material benefit, in that he was able to receive methylamphetamine for his own personal use from (his supplier) including obtaining methylamphetamine on credit.”

Baird sold drugs to help fund his own addiction, the court heard. (File image)

Baird pleaded guilty to supplying a total of 18g ice on five occasions between September 22 and October 21, including 3.5g for $1400 in one transaction.

He also pleaded guilty to receiving a total of 302.75g of ice on 20 occasions for the purposes of onselling between October 22 and November 20.

Baird received a further 85.75g of methylamphetamine on 10 separate occasions between November 21 and December 20.

On January 10, 2022, police conducted a series of simultaneous raids across a number of properties across the northern end of the Central Coast including a house at Currawong St, Blue Bay, and Baird’s unit on The Entrance Rd, The Entrance.

Baird was arrested and taken to Wyong Police Station where he took part in a police interview but denied the allegations.

He was adjourned to face Gosford District Court on October 20 to set a sentencing date.

His alleged upline supplier was also arrested and has been charged with more than 100 offences including dozens of counts of supplying drugs, possessing ammunition and goods in custody.

He has not entered any pleas and returns to court on October 18.