Illawarra mum Lily Despatoski admits to role in Vietnamese drug syndicate
An Illawarra mum has admitted to her role in a major Vietnamese drug syndicate, after strike force detectives smashed the ring last year.
Illawarra Star
Don't miss out on the headlines from Illawarra Star. Followed categories will be added to My News.
An Illawarra mum has admitted to her involvement in a major cannabis syndicate that was smashed by police in December last year.
Lily Despatoski and her husband Goran Despotovski were arrested at their Gipps St home on December 20, 2018 after detectives established Strike Force Burgh to investigate the ongoing supply of cannabis between Wollongong and Sydney.
The 11-month investigation culminated on raids on the couple’s home, after detectives began listening in on Goran’s phone calls to establish his alleged involvement in the syndicate.
In documents tendered to the court, it is alleged Goran purchased large quantities of cannabis from up-line Vietnamese suppliers around Heathcote and Bankstown, before bringing it back to Wollongong, where it was weighed and bagged into smaller quantities for sale.
On Wednesday, Lily admitted to knowing about Goran’s dealings and openly discussing the operations of the syndicate, pleading guilty to supply prohibited drug and participate in a criminal group.
Court documents said after bugging the couple’s Gipps St home, they discovered Lily would discuss the quality and quantity of cannabis with her husband, as well as their finances.
But, court documents say while she was “clearly aware” of her husband’s alleged illegal activities, she was not directly involved “in the planning, organising or carrying out of any particular supplies”.
She did, however, admit to sharing her home for the purpose of cannabis “preparation and storage”.
On one occasion in July last year, police recorded Lily accompany Goran to Sydney to pick up five pounds of cannabis, court documents revealed.
It was on this same day, court documents say the pair also discussed a price hike in the supply, with Goran allegedly telling Lily the price had “gone up by $150”.
Lily, who remains on strict conditional bail, will be sentenced next year, while Goran is set to return to court next month.
Goran, who remains in custody, is facing 45 charges relating to the supply of a prohibited drug, and is expected to plead at his next appearance.