Clay Trevena, Micheal Brisbane: men bailed over Strike Force Mote Illawarra drug arrests

Two men accused of being involved in a million-dollar drug ring have been granted bail with a court hearing they were “just unwillingly Uber drivers”.

A man described as the alleged “unwilling Uber driver” for a million-dollar drug syndicate and his co-accused have been granted bail, with a magistrate finding they “weren’t the biggest players” in the alleged operation.

Michael Brisbane and Clay Trevena were granted bail by Magistrate Claire Girotto at Wollongong Local Court on Friday, after they were arrested in sweeping raids across the Illawarra on Wednesday.

$1m worth of drugs seized following ten search warrants in Sydney and Illawarra. Picture: Supplied

Ten search warrants were carried out at homes in Coniston, Berkeley and Sydney where about 1.5kg of methamphetamine, 340g of cocaine, heroin, two unauthorised prohibited pistols and about $100,000 in cash was seized.

The estimated potential street value of the drugs was $1 million.

Mr Brisbane, 53, was charged with two counts of take part supply prohibited drug – commercial quantity, two counts of participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, and deal with property proceeds of crime.

In court, it was alleged Mr Brisbane was involved in moving methamphetamine and heroin between Sydney and the Illawarra.

Mr Trevena, 40, was charged with seven offences, including supply prohibited drug commercial quantity, take part supply prohibited drug large commercial quantity, and tamper with evidence with intent to mislead judicial tribunal.

Drugs allegedly seized during the raids. Picture: NSW Police

Police alleged he too was involved in the movement of methamphetamine and heroin between Sydney and the Illawarra, and also attempted to dispose of illicit drugs down the toilet.

Hairdresser Suzanna Ristevska and her husband Feris Abdul-Hamid were also charged as part of the investigations by Strike Force Mote, and were both refused bail. Ms Ristevska

was charged with six offences, including three counts of supply prohibited drug commercial quantity, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, and tamper with evidence with intent to mislead judicial tribunal, she was refused bail.

In court on Friday, Mr Trevena’s lawyer Matt Ward told the court Ms Ristevska and Mr Abdul-Hamid were the bigger players and that his client was the “unwilling Uber driver”, allegedly tasked with “driving from place a to place b”.

However, police prosecutor Sergeant Rachel Biffin said it was a “strong case” and that Mr Trevena “was aware” of the alleged drug supplies.

“I would make the concession that he is not the big player but he’s aware of what’s going on,” she said.

Police raided four properties earlier this week. Picture: NSW Police

Three people from the Illawarra charged on Wednesday. Picture: NSW Police

“From the (allegations) we have there’s no intense conversations, it’s a short conversation and he’s complied and participated.”

Mr Ward said his client’s involvement in the alleged plot of Ms Ristevska to break into a NSW Police Holding yard was also limited.

“It is a far cry from a conspiracy,” he said. “When we look at what he’s charged with, the focus is on other persons.”

The court also heard Mr Trevena allegedly tried to flush more than 44 grams of heroin down the toilet when police arrived to arrest him.

The court heard Mr Brisbane, represented by Legal Aid solicitor Jordan Mechan, also played the role of a driver, allegedly ferrying Mr Abdul-Hamid from place a to place b, but did not know the purpose of the drives was for drug delivery.

“He was driving a car for Mr Abdul-Hamid and he’s never been told by Mr Hamid why he was driving him around,” Mr Mechan said.

The court also heard Mr Abdul-Hamid would pay Mr Brisbane, a drug user, in illicit substances.

Sergeant Biffin however argued against his release to bail, alleging “his part wasn’t as big but he clearly knows what he’s doing”.

Magistrate Girotto agreed to grant the pair bail however, imposing strict conditions including a curfew and drug and alcohol treatment.

All of the four co-accused will return to court in October.