Patrick Falefoou: Mt Druitt man sentenced for cocaine supply in ‘Uber’ dial-a-dealer scheme

A Mt Druitt apprentice carpenter who supplied cocaine in a dial-a-dealer scheme had more than $9000 hidden down his pants. Hear his sentence from court.

Patrick Falefoou pictured outside Downing Centre Court with his solicitor. Picture: Supplied

A Mt Druitt man dislocated a police officer’s knee after resisting arrest over his involvement in an ‘Uber’ dial-a-dealer scheme in Sydney CBD, a court has heard.

Patrick Falefoou, 22, appeared before Downing Centre Local Court on Friday December 9 for sentence after pleading guilty to drug supply, resisting arrest, escaping police custody, dealing with property proceeds of crime value less than $10,000 and being in custody of a knife in a public place.

Mr Falefoou, who works as an apprentice carpenter, was apprehended on October 29 by police who were conducting patrols around Gresham St, targeting drug supply via dial-a-dealer schemes.

Agreed police facts tendered to the court state that on October 29, a vehicle with an ‘Uber’ sticker on the rear window picked up a male and female on Gresham St, Sydney with Mr Falefoou in the rear seat and a co-accused driving the vehicle.

“The vehicle travelled in a northerly direction … turning left onto Bridge St and left again onto Pitt St,” the facts stated. “While police were in their vehicle directly behind the motor vehicle, police observed an exchange of objects between the accused and the male from Gresham St.”

Patrick Falefoou pictured outside Downing Centre Court with his solicitor. Picture: Supplied

“The vehicle has stopped after travelling approximately 150 metres. When the vehicle stopped, the male and the female exited the motor vehicle.”

Police detained both the male and the female for the purpose of a search and located a small resealable bag containing 0.6 grams of cocaine in the female’s bag.

Police continued to follow the vehicle and pulled over Mr Falefoou and the co-accused on Hunter St, Sydney.

“Police explained what they observed and asked the accused and co-accused who the passengers were that exited the vehicle. Both the accused and co-accused were unable to answer,” the agreed police facts stated.

“The accused was observed to have a small satchel bag between his feet … police opened the bag and immediately identified a significant amount of cash and drug packaging.”

Police then told Mr Falefoou that has was under arrest and began to handcuff him when he broke free, picking up his satchel bag in the process.

Police chased him and when a senior constable attempted to grab Mr Falefoou’s arm to stop him from running, he fell to the ground hitting his head and dislocating his left knee.

Agreed police facts stated that Mr Falefoou continued to run from police until he was apprehended on Bent St where he was placed under arrest and cautioned.

Police conducted a strip search and found a large amount of money down his pants, later counted to be $9125.

Mr Falefoou was taken to Surry Hills Police Station on October 29 after resisting arrest by police. Picture: Gaye Gerard.

Mr Falefoou was taken to Surry Hills Police Station where police conducted a search of his bag, finding a knife with a 10cm blade and a ziplock bag with empty plastic bags inside.

Mr Falefoou’s solicitor said he lived with his family and had been on a curfew since his arrest.

“He hasn’t been in this situation before,” he told the court.

“It wasn’t an assault on the police officer, he wasn’t intentionally trying to hurt the officer.”

Magistrate Daniel Covington said the drug supply was not of a significant amount but Mr Falefoou “made things a lot worse” by trying to get away.

“You’ve got no criminal history,” Magistrate Covington said.

“I’m told you’ve got good prospects and your record reflects that.”

Mr Falefoou pleaded guilty to all five offences and received four 12-month community correction orders and a $500 fine for being in custody of a knife in a public place.