Julian Lee: refused bail over 200kg Sydney cocaine bust
A married couple arrested in raids that allegedly uncovered more than $65m of cocaine this week will be kept apart after a man was denied bail in court today.
Central Sydney
Don't miss out on the headlines from Central Sydney. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A man arrested in strike force raids that allegedly netted $65 million worth of cocaine found in a suburban wardrobe has been denied bail despite his mum offering up her million-dollar home as security.
Julian Lee, charged with large commercial drug supply, will not be reunited with his co-accused wife, Hoang Anh Le, until at least June after his bid for release was refused on Thursday.
Lee, 39, was arrested in his car by police on James St, Leichhardt about 4pm on Monday, with officers allegedly finding a paper bag containing cocaine inside.
His wife was arrested six hours later at their CBD apartment where police allegedly seized a loaded pistol and boxes of ammunition.
Lee and Le’s arrests were linked to a mammoth haul of more than 200kg of cocaine found in a Fairfield West home later on March 30, with raids across Sydney leading to the arrests of three others.
Defence lawyer Alex Radojev said police had only “circumstantial evidence” against his client with no mention of Lee’s fingerprints being found on the paper bag in police facts tendered to Central Local Court.
“There’s no evidence he looked in the bag,” Mr Radojev said.
Magistrate Philip Stewart disagreed, describing the police’s case as “extremely strong” and dismissing concerns raised about delays in the judicial system caused by the COVID-19 outbreak.
Le, 39, is charged with possess unauthorised pistol and four counts of possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority but was released after her sister posted $50,000 surety on Tuesday.
The court heard this week that she was the only one home when officers searched the Clarence St apartment about 10pm on Monday night they found a loaded .25 calibre pistol in a cabinet near the front door, 300 rounds of ammunition, steroids, cocaine and money counters.
Mr Radojev, also representing the owner of clothing brand Dirdy Birdy and keen pole dancer, said she lived in the unit with her husband and the items “could belong to either occupant”.
Three other men, Huu Quyen Andrew Do, Hieu Minh Nguyen and alleged kingpin Huan Chu were also arrested on Monday.
Do, 18, and Nguyen, 21, were also arrested in Leichhardt and charged with large commercial drug supply.
Chu, 24, was arrested at the Fairfield West property and charged with three counts of large commercial drug supply and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime.
Lee will next appear in court on July 25.
