Save Treneski granted bail following allegations of cocaine supply
An Illawarra man is accused of using code names like “babies” and “bad boys” to allegedly arrange drug deals. However, his lawyer has told a court he isn’t a “kingpin” but someone that “drives a 2004 model Toyota Camry and doesn’t have any savings to his name”.
Illawarra Star
Don't miss out on the headlines from Illawarra Star. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Cars smashed in vandal attack across Lake Illawarra
- Women got hotel room, drugs for man charged over tanker death
A Cringila man charged over the alleged supply of cocaine in the Illawarra following a lengthy police investigation has been granted strict bail.
Save Treneski, 33, was arrested on Monday morning, after officers from Strike Force Irma pounced on his Cringila St home after spending months monitoring his phone calls and texts.
Police allege that during February, March, April, May and June, Treneski supplied cocaine to numerous people on at least three different occasions during each of the months, despite being on an intensive corrections order for drug possession.
The 33-year-old was charged with five counts of supply prohibited drug on an ongoing basis, with police alleging Treneski facilitated deals through Snapchat, Wickr and WhatsApp, referring to cocaine with code names like “babies” and “bad boys”.
Treneski faced Wollongong Local Court on Monday, where his lawyer Martin Zanolla told the court that despite the allegations, his client “was not some sort of drug kingpin”.
“He drives a 2004 model Toyota Camry and doesn’t have any savings to his name,” he said.
He also argued for Treneski’s release due to the fact he had respiratory and heart issues, including asthma, and a very limited criminal history.
“Asthma and other issues are COVID-19 vulnerabilities,” Mr Zanolla said.
“While there are no current record cases of the virus in jail, your honour would note that it can be potentially fatal for people with these issues.”
Despite Mr Zanolla telling the court Treneski’s brother, a small-business owner, could offer a $2000 bail surety, police prosecutor sergeant Dave Weaver argued that Magistrate Susan McGowan could “make the inference” Treneski was involved with organised crime.
“Cocaine isn’t something that’s grown in the backyard, it has to be imported into the country,” he said.
“In order to supply it, you need the permission of other organised crime networks.”
However, Magistrate McGowan agreed to grant Treneski bail on the condition he surrender his passport, live with his parents in Cringila, report to police daily and not leave the house between 8pm and 6am.
In documents tendered to the court, police allege they began intercepting Treneski’s calls and texts in February, which “clearly illustrate the extent of the accused person’s drug dealing”.
In one of the alleged cocaine sales, police claim in the documents that on May 27 another man called Treneski and said “I need four, but I’ll have to get cash if that’s alright?”.
Treneski allegedly replied with “yeah too easy, too easy, four of the babies, four of the bad boys”.
Investigators allege the phone call related to the supply of four grams of cocaine.
Treneski, who was picked up from court by his brother after spending the night in police cells, will return to court in eight weeks.