Strike Force Mote, Illawarra: Suzanna Ristevska refused bail after drug raids
An Illawarra woman is accused of supplying methamphetamine and attempting to tamper with evidence following major drug raids across the region.
Illawarra Star
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An Illawarra woman has been denied bail after she was charged for her alleged involvement in a large-scale million-dollar drug syndicate.
Suzanna Ristevska, 41, was arrested at her Berkeley home on Wednesday morning as part of an investigation by Strike Force Mote into organised crime in the Illawarra.
She was charged with six offences, including three counts of supply prohibited drug commercial quantity, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, and tamper with evidence with intent to mislead judicial tribunal.
The 41-year-old appeared in court via AVL from Lake Illawarra Police Station on Thursday afternoon where criminal lawyer Martin Zanolla applied for bail on her behalf.
Police allege Ms Ristevska took part in the commercial supply of methamphetamine and orchestrated an attempt to break into the NSW Police holding yard in Albion Park.
The court heard Ms Ristevska had been on bail when she was arrested on Wednesday, after being arrested in July on similar drug charges.
Her new charges of supply commercial quantities of prohibited drugs also date back to the same offending, the court heard.
However, Magistrate Claire Girotto said Ms Ristevska is accused of breaching her bail by allegedly tampering with evidence.
Police Prosecutor Amelia Wall told the court the 41-year-old allegedly orchestrated for men to tamper with a vehicle that allegedly contained drugs, by scoping out the holding yard and being ready to break in.
In applying for bail, Martin Zanolla, told the court there were no drugs in the car, but Ms Ristevska had no idea what may have been in the vehicle.
“It wasn’t told to me they even existed until yesterday so she wouldn’t have known,” Mr Zanolla said.
“There’s no suggestion of a break-in but phone records show she said ‘they’re literally breaking in right now, I’m stressing out’.”
Sargeant Wall said an alleged break-in was not part of the charges, but she organised for someone to go to the premises and check on the car.
Mr Zanolla argued Ms Ristevska’s actions were a result of being scared of her partner.
“We have a woman who has been bullied and threatened to do the bidding of her husband,” he told the court.
“When she fails to do these things she is badly beaten.
“They’re trying to make her out to be the ‘la madrina’ but nothing could be further from the truth.”
The court heard Ms Ristevska had previously spent two years in prison for ongoing supply of drugs, but claims she no longer wants to be involved in illegal trade.
“She’s a scared, vulnerable woman who has been mistreated by her violent husband and there’s some characterisation of being some organised crime big-hit but she’s not,” Mr Zanolla said.
Sargeant Wall there has been such a large influx of surveillance and telephone intercepts, the investigation is ongoing by police.
She told the court the case against Ms Ristevska attempting to organise to interfere with the vehicle is strong.
Magistrate Girotto said the biggest concern was the 41-year-old was on bail and her husband was in custody when she allegedly organised for the car to be tampered with.
“It shows an involvement in the whole thing, if she hadn’t done it she may not have been tied in,” she said.
“She was on bail for very serious matters and a custodial sentence is quite likely.”
The magistrate did not grant bail and the matter was put over to October.
Strike Force Mote was established in May 2020 to investigate organised crime in the Illawarra with the assistance of the state Crime Command and the NSW Crime Commission.
Police seized $60,000 in cash during a police stop at Heathcote on July 14 and almost half a kilogram of methamphetamine and more than 40g of heroin in a Toyota Hilux during a Unanderra vehicle stop days later.
Investigations led police to execute ten search warrants between Monday and Wednesday at homes in Brighton Le Sands, Arncliffe, Banksia, Rockdale, Condell Park, Greenacre, Potts Hill, Chipping Norton and Coniston.
Five people, including Ms Ristevska, were arrested and police seized 1.5kg of methamphetamine, 340g of cocaine, heroin, two unauthorised prohibited pistols and $100,000 in cash.
Police also seized a Toyota Aurion and Mitsubishi Lancer from a premises on the Princes Highway at Arncliffe.
It will be alleged in court police found the methylamphetamine and revolver pistol with ammunition in the Toyota, and a money counter in the Mitsubishi.
The estimated potential street value of the drugs seized this week is $1 million.
About 6.15pm Monday, a 29-year-old man was arrested at a home in Francis Ave, Brighton Le Sands, and taken to Kogarah police station.
He was charged with 16 offences, including two counts of supply prohibited drug large commercial quantity, supply prohibited drug commercial quantity, two counts of supply prohibited drug indictable quantity, two counts of possess unauthorised pistol, possess unauthorised prohibited firearm, three counts of acquire etc pistol – subject to firearms prohibition order, knowingly/recklessly direct criminal group assist crime, tamper with evidence with intent to mislead judicial tribunal, two counts of knowingly deal with proceeds of crime and recklessly deal with proceeds of crime.
He appeared at Sutherland Local Court on Tuesday.
A 36-year-old man was arrested at a Horsley Drive home at Fairfield about 7am Tuesday and was taken to Fairfield police station.
He was charged with two counts of supply prohibited drug commercial quantity, participate criminal group while contributing to criminal activity, and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime.
The man appeared at Fairfield Local Court on Wednesday where he was refused bail and is due to appear again on Thursday.
Michael Brisbane, 53 was arrested at a home at Carringal St, Berkeley, on Wednesday morning and taken to Lake Illawarra police station.
He was charged with two counts of take part supply prohibited drug – commercial quantity, two counts of participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, and deal with property proceeds of crime.
Police will allege in court Mr Brisbane was involved in moving methamphetamine and heroin between Sydney and the Illawarra.
He briefly appeared in court where his matter was adjourned to Friday where a bail application will be made.
A 40-year-old man was arrested at a home at Jutland Ave, Coniston, about 7.30am Wednesday and taken to Wollongong Police Station.
He was charged with seven offences, including supply prohibited drug commercial quantity, take part supply prohibited drug large commercial quantity, and tamper with evidence with intent to mislead judicial tribunal.
Police will allege he was involved in the movement of methamphetamine and heroin between Sydney and the Illawarra, and also attempted to dispose of illicit drugs down the toilet.
He was refused bail to appear in Wollongong Local Court on Friday.
Investigations under Strike Force Mote continue, and further charges are expected to be laid.
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