Paul Jewell, muffler mechanic confesses to coke dealing
An Illawarra mechanic who was arrested trying to board a plane has confessed to dealing cocaine using code words like ‘beers’, invoice’ and ‘brackets’ to fool police.
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An Illawarra mechanic has confessed to dealing cocaine, after police busted he and his lawyer mate following a drug sting earlier this year.
Muffler mechanic Paul ‘PJ’ Jewell pleaded guilty to a charge of drug supply at Wollongong Local Court on Tuesday, after he was caught dealing 7.7 grams of coke over a five-month period.
Jewell, owner of the Muffler Centre in Fairy Meadow, and owner and principal of CVC Law Vittorio ‘Vic’ Cuoco were arrested by investigators from Strike Force Jaquie in March, after surveillance recorded them dealing across the Illawarra.
Documents tendered to Wollongong court said police used phone taps to monitor Jewell’s activity, and that he used code words to discuss drugs, referring to cocaine as “beers”, “brackets”, “receipt” and “invoice”.
Court documents reveal that between December and March, Jewell supplied 7.7 grams of cocaine on “several occasions” to an insular group of mates.
On December 31, police swooped on Jewell as he boarded a plane at Wilton aircraft, after receiving a tip he was in possession of cocaine.
Jewell, who was headed to a wedding in the Hunter Valley, admitted he had hidden the drugs in his luggage. Police searched his bags, finding 3.72 grams of coke, which he later said was for his own personal use, as well as his friends at the wedding.
However, Jewell made it clear to police that he would not be making any cash from the coke he was taking to the wedding.
Between January and March, court documents said Jewell supplied a further 3.98 grams of cocaine to four other people.
Cuoco, whose wife Cyn was a former contestant on My Kitchen Rules, pleaded guilty to eight criminal charges at the Downing centre last week, including four counts of drug supply.
Both Jewell and Cuoco will return to court for sentencing later this month.