Ashley Hall: Ex-ABC presenter arrested on MDMA, cocaine-supply charges

A prominent former ABC radio journalist has been arrested after overnight police searches at two Sydney hotel rooms uncovered an alleged $600,000 haul of drugs.

A prominent former ABC radio journalist was arrested by police and slapped with a raft of drug supply charges after he was busted with an alleged haul of MDMA, cocaine and meth.

Ashley Hall, 52, of Burwood, was a prominent fixture for years on the national broadcaster’s radio network, presenting the ABC’s current affairs radio programs, and the AM, PM and The World Today programs. He was also a former executive producer of flagship ABC radio program AM.

Hall’s matter was adjourned at the Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday, where he made no attempt for bail, after officers from the Inner West Police Area Command (PAC) raided two hotel rooms last night and allegedly discovered $600,000 worth of drugs.

At two hotel rooms in Wentworth St and Bondi St, officers from the PAC’s Strike Force Weismantle allegedly uncovered 500 MDMA tablets, 100g of cocaine, 3.2kg of 1,4-butanediol, 700g of methylamphetamine, more than one kilogram of cannabis, and more than $70,000 cash.

A photo taken from the ABC website of former reporter Ashley Hall.

Vision of Hall arrested on Wednesday December 7 in central Sydney. Picture: NSW Police

Police seized what’s alleged to be a valuable haul of drugs. Picture: NSW Police

Hall was arrested just prior to the searches on Commonwealth St in the CBD, and was subsequently charged with a whopping 23 offences, including eight counts of supplying a prohibited drug (indictable) less than commercial quantity, and six counts of supplying a prohibited drug greater than or equal to commercial quantity.

At court on Thursday, Hall didn’t appear via video link and made no attempt for bail. The court heard the matter would return in February for brief evidence to be served to his solicitors.

Strike Force Weismantle was established by the Inner West PAC to investigate the commercial supply of prohibited drugs throughout the city.

During the course of the investigation, which began in August this year, police seized 4.9 kilograms of 1,4-butanediol, and 252 grams of methylamphetamine.

Vision of Hall arrested on Wednesday December 7 in central Sydney. Picture: NSW Police

Inner West PAC acting Superintendent Ben Kennis, speaking in respect of Strike Force Weismantle, praised the job of detectives and the results of the operation.

“The investigation led to the dismantling of (what police allege is) an organised criminal network involved in serious criminal activity,” he said.

“Throughout the investigation, Inner West PAC detectives seized large quantities of potentially dangerous prohibited drugs.

“The dedication shown by Inner West detectives led to the removal of these drugs from the community.”

NewsLocal understands Hall left the ABC over a year ago.

Hall will next appear at court in February. Bail was not applied for and formally refused.