An Illawarra couple have been charged over their involvement in an alleged ice syndicate
An Illawarra couple are accused of running an alleged drug supply operation from their home on a quiet residential street south of Wollongong.
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An Illawarra man has been refused bail, accused of running a sophisticated drug supply operation from his Koonawarra home with the help of his young partner.
Brett Roe, 43, was refused bail at Wollongong Local Court by Magistrate Roger Clisdell on Wednesday, after police claimed to have smashed a sophisticated ice syndicate, which allegedly operated from his Wyndarra Way home.
Roe and his partner, 26-year-old Shanay Howie, were arrested at the home today by detectives from Strike Force Swany, which was established by the Southern Region Enforcement Squad to investigate the supply of prohibited drugs in the Illawarra.
According to documents tendered to the court, police will allege Roe was responsible for the distribution of prohibited drugs, from both his Wyndarra Way home, and Howie’s home at Culgoa Crescent.
On September 2, the documents allege a customer met with Roe, after arranging to purchase an “eight ball”or 3.5 grams of ice for the negotiated price of $500.
Roe allegedly told the person he would send a “runner” out to give him the drugs the following day. But, unbeknown to Roe, the customer was actually a police informant.
According to court documents, strike force detectives used police informants several times throughout the investigation, allegedly organising drug transactions with Roe on several occasions.
Police also claim to have intercepted Roe’s mobile phone calls, which allegedly revealed that “90+ per cent” of his calls related to the supply of drugs.
Between September 24 and the day before his arrest on December 11, police allege Roe supplied 257 grams of ice, with a large number of those alleged transactions taking place at his Wyndarra Way home.
“The accused was monitored to secrete prohibited drugs in various places so customers could collect the drug and leave money if the accused was not home,” court documents allege.
“The accused was also monitored to negotiate with various persons to attend his premises from the rear to avoid police detection.”
It will also be alleged that Roe kept a close eye on his visitors, installing a “sophisticated” CCTV network at his home, which was displayed on a large screen in his living room.
During the raid on Roe’s home on Wednesday, police allegedly uncovered $8000 cash, believed to be the proceeds of crime, as well as other “goods” including motorbikes, counterfeit currency, weapons and fireworks.
Howie, who has two young children, is alleged to have assisted Roe with his dealings, accused of supplying drugs to customers on at least one occasion.
After their early morning arrests on Tuesday, Roe was charged with supply prohibited drug – commercial quantity, two counts of supply prohibited drug, three counts of supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis and two counts of organise/conduct/assist drug premises, while Howie was charged with operate drug premises, drug supply and knowingly take part in drug supply.
Both made applications for bail at Wollongong Local Court on Wednesday, but only Howie was granted release.
“Love does strange things to people,” Magistrate Clisdell said. “I consider this application because she has two young children to care for.”
In rejecting Roe’s application, Magistrate Clisdell said the police case was strong, and noted he had committed the alleged offences while on bail for other alleged drug offences.
“At the moment the police have a very strong case and have indicated there are more charges to come,” he said.
A third man has also been charged in relation to the ice syndicate, he is set to face court next year. Roe and Howie’s cases will also return to court in the new year.