Roxanne Brincat: Andrew Perish drug syndicate associate granted bail

A woman arrested alongside Andrew Perish - the subject of the TV series Underbelly: Badness - for her alleged involvement in a major drug syndicate has made a bid for bail.

A woman arrested alongside Andrew Perish - the subject of the TV series Underbelly: Badness - for her alleged involvement in a major drug syndicate has been granted bail in the NSW Supreme Court.

Roxanne Brincat, 46, was arrested alongside Perish at a Leumeah home in a series of orchestrated dawn raids across Sydney on July 1 last year

The syndicate Brincat is alleged to have been a part of was involved in the supply of nearly 18kg of pseudoephedrine and 4.5kg of the drug ice with a total estimated potential street value of more than $1 million.

The Supreme Court heard Brincat’s charges have been downgraded since her arrest.

Brincat is now charged with one count of allegedly entering drug premises, which carries a maximum penalty of 12 months imprisonment. Brincat is also charged with two counts of possessing chemicals used to manufacture methamphetamine.

She has not yet entered pleas to these charges.

Roxanne Brincat, 46, is alleged to be part of a drug syndicate.

In court, the prosecutor said though Brincat’s charges have been downgraded, the evidence against Brincat was “strong”, including CTV footage and intercepted phone calls.

The prosecution also described Brincat’s criminal record as “lengthy and varied”, telling the court she has been repeatedly offending since the 1990s.

“(These most recent charges) were committed for financial gain … perhaps to support drug addiction,” the prosecutor said.

But Brincat, appearing via AVL, shook her head vigorously and mouthed the word “no” when the prosecution alleged she suffered from drug addiction.

Brincat’s lawyer told the court her client would be able to stay with her daughter and son-in-law while on bail, adding the son-in-law has no criminal record.

The court also heard Brincat played a less serious role in the alleged drug syndicate.

“She’s well down the bottom of the chain … (and) there’s a real concern in this matter that anytime spent on remand will exceed (her sentence),” Brincat’s defence lawyer said.

Justice Christine Adamson told the court Brincat’s role in the joint criminal enterprise appeared to be lesser than the three co-accused, but described the evidence against Brincat as “relatively uncontroversial”.

However, Justice Adamson also warned of “grave injustice” if Brincat was to remain bars awaiting trial for a time longer than her sentence would be, if she is found guilty.

“If the trial date is not until the second half of 2023, there is a very substantial risk that the time spent on remand will exceed any sentence that is imposed,” Justice Adamson said.

“(This) would be a very grave injustice … and would in a way thwart the administration of justice.”

Brincat was granted bail on strict conditions, including residing at her daughter’s house and abiding by a curfew.

Upon hearing she would be granted bail, Brincat began to cry with relief.

Brincat will return to court, where she will be tried along with the three co-accused in this matter, later this year.