Robert and Daniel Bojlevski: Illawarra father and son refused bail over alleged drug ring

A father and son accused of running an alleged drug ring have been refused bail, with police alleging they used gambling to clean their money and safe houses to hide their activities.

A father and son accused of running an alleged drug ring on the NSW south coast have been refused bail, with police accusing them of using safe houses and money laundering to cover up their alleged dealings.

Robert Bojlevski and his son Daniel were arrested on September 3, after Australian Federal Police and local officers raided homes at Port Kembla, Primbee, Albion Park Rail, Wollongong, and North Nowra and allegedly seized more than $200,000 cash, a rifle, illicit drugs, steroids, electronic devices, vehicles, and a jet ski.

The pair were arrested from a home in Primbee. Picture: NSW Police

Daniel, 28, was charged with two counts of knowingly and or recklessly direct criminal group assist crime; knowingly deal with proceeds of crime intent to conceal; two counts of supply cannabis above indictable and below commercial quantity; supply prohibited drug above commercial quantity; supply prohibited drug above small and below indictable quantity; and supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis.

Robert, 50, was charged with seven counts of supply prohibited drugs above indictable amount; two counts of supply cannabis above indictable and below commercial quantity; and two counts of knowingly and recklessly direct criminal group assist crime.

The pair faced Wollongong Local Court on Wednesday, where Magistrate Susan McGowan refused their applications for bail, despite their defence barrister Eugene Wasilenia arguing the allegations against them were “merely beliefs” and that the men had limited criminal history.

But, Magistrate McGowan said the allegations against the men, which included dealing more than 365 grams of cocaine, were “strong”.

Daniel and Robert were refused bail on September 8. Picture: NSW Police.

“It seems to me it’s a very strong case and they are facing lengthy sentences if convicted,” she said.

In documents tendered to the court, it was revealed Robert came under the notice of police in 2019, when Queensland Police began investigating a Vietnamese drug ring responsible for tracking cannabis between Queensland and NSW.

During the investigations they became aware of the Bojlevskis, and NSW Police established Strike Force Axon, allegedly identifying Robert as the head of an alleged Illawarra-based drug ring.

Police allege Robert “directed a “close cohort” of family and criminal associates in the supply of prohibited drugs, allegedly using runners to deliver drugs between Sydney and Batemans Bay.

Cash allegedly seized during the raids on September 3. Picture: NSW Police

“This method reduced the likelihood of the syndicate heads being intercepted carrying drugs or cash,” police alleged in the documents.

Police also allege the Bojlevski’s used encrypted devices to communicate, while also using safe houses to avoid police detection.

“Strike Force Axon established they used safe houses to limit detection by authorities,” court documents stated.

“These involve houses with people of limited or no criminal history.”

The court heard the family lived “well beyond their means”, despite having been unemployed for a long period and receiving Centrelink benefits.

Investigators also claim that Daniel was registered as having gambled at the Star casinos in both Queensland and Sydney “for the purpose of laundering money derived from supplying prohibited drugs”.

During the search warrants last week, police allege they found more than $30,000 in cash at the family home Daniel and Robert shared in Primbee, while a further $22,150 was found hidden under the bath at Port Kembla address, discovered by a police cash sniffer dog called Linda.

The pair will remain on remand in custody until they next appear before the courts in November.