Robert Bojlevski granted bail nine months after arrest on drug supply charges
The head of an alleged Illawarra criminal family has applied to be released from custody on bail nine months after he was arrested in sweeping drug raids. Find out what happened.
Illawarra Star
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The head of an alleged Illawarra crime family accused of supplying drugs throughout the region had to pay $500,000 to secure his release from custody.
Robert Bojlevski, 51, appeared via audiovisual link in the Supreme Court on Thursday shortly before his nephew Anthony Bojlevski also sought release.
Robert Bojlevski has been in custody since September 2021 when he was arrested at his Primbee home during sweeping drug raids across the Illawarra by officers attached to Strike Force Axon.
Police allege Bojlevski, his wife Janette Marsh and their son Daniel Bojlevski directed a cohort of associates, including family members, to supply drugs throughout the Illawarra.
In documents tendered to court, police allege the family used safe houses in an attempt to avoid detection and employed “runners”.
Police will argue in court the family, which claimed Centrelink benefits lived beyond their means and laundered money through gambling at casinos.
They came to the attention of Queensland Police during an investigation into the trafficking of drugs across the NSW border by a sophisticated Vietnamese criminal syndicate, the documents said.
Police used covert surveillance to track the alleged cannabis and cocaine supply last year.
Robert Bojlevski was charged with two counts of knowingly or recklessly directing a criminal group; three counts of supplying cannabis; seven counts of supplying prohibited drugs; and knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime.
In court on Thursday, Bojlevski was granted very strict conditional bail.
He must report to police daily, not approach any national or international port of departure, live at his home in Primbee and abide by a night-time curfew from 9pm to 6amunless in the event of a medical emergency.
Bojlevski is only able to have and use one phone, which is prohibited from having encrypted apps or software.
He is unable to apply for travel documents or take prohibited drugs.
Bojlevski can only drive one car and is not allowed to hire a car. He cannot interfere with any evidence or have more than $5000 in cash.
An acceptable person was also required to forfeit home equity of $500,000 to secure his release and ensure he continues to appear in court.
Bojlevski’s son Daniel remains behind bars on remand.
A number of alleged members of the syndicate have been arrested, and their cases remain before the court.
Robert’s nephew Anthony Bojlevski, 43, was arrested on March 22, 2022 and was refused bail with police alleging he was part of the criminal group supplying drugs.
Police allege Anthony supplied drugs between February and September last year, the court heard.
Police further allege Anthony was part of the criminal group and would be given drugs by the Bojlevski father and son and then on-supply them to other members of the syndicate, the documents said.
The court heard Anthony was married and had two teenage sons and at the time he was arrested he was working full-time and once released from prison could resume his employment.
Judge Michael Walton noted the charges were serious and Anthony would face a full-time jail sentence if convicted of all counts.
Anthony was charged with participating in a criminal group and contributing to criminal activity; taking part in the supply of prohibited drugs and knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime.
Judge Walton assessed the strength of the prosecution case, noting police allegedly have Anthony’s fingerprints and a sum of money found at one of the alleged safe houses.
The judge also agreed there could be a delay of 18 months before a trial takes place and found bail conditions mitigated the unacceptable risk he posed to the community.
Judge Walton agreed to grant Anthony bail where he must report to police daily, can only leave his Port Kembla house in the company of his wife, not contact any co-accused and cannot take illegal drugs.
Anthony can only have one phone, no encrypted communication, and an acceptable person had to deposit $50,000 which will be forfeited if he fails to attend court.
Both cases will return to Wollongong Local Court on June 22.