Dapto man Brett Roe charged with additional drug offences over alleged drug operation
An Illawarra man charged over a ‘sophisticated’ alleged drug supply operation from a suburban home has been slapped with more charges.
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An Illawarra man charged with running a sophisticated drug supply headquarters from his Koonawarra home with the help of his young partner has been refused bail for a second time, after he was slapped with additional charges.
Brett Roe, 42, and his partner, 26-year-old Shannay Howie, were arrested at their home on December 11 last year, after detectives from Strike Force Swany, formed to investigate the supply of prohibited drugs in the Illawarra, pounced on their alleged drug headquarters at his Wyndarra Way home.
Roe was initially 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, however on Thursday was charged with five additional offences including handle explosive without authorising license, three counts of supply prohibited drug and deal with proceeds of crime.
Appearing before Magistrate Michael Stoddart on Thursday, Roe made a second application for bail to attend a long-term rehabilitation facility due to his issues with substances, however, his application was refused due to the serious nature of his offences.
In documents tendered to the court, police 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.
Court documents reveal strike force detectives used police informants several times throughout the investigation, allegedly organising drug transactions with Roe on several occasions.
Police also 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,” police allege in court documents.
“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 December 11, police allegedly uncovered $8000 cash, believed to be the proceeds of crime, a pound or 454 grams of cannabis with a street value of $3500, as well as other “goods” including motorbikes, counterfeit currency 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. She was charged with operate drug premises, drug supply and knowingly take part in drug supply.
Howie, who was granted bail last year supported Roe in court on Thursday. After the bail application, both Roe and Howie’s matters were adjourned to April.