Josh Lowe, Jeremy Nguyen: Alleged drug gang face court after IED
A Macquarie Uni student and an apprentice plumber are among eight young men who have faced court after an IED explosion led police to bust an alleged drug syndicate. There were tears in court as the parents of some of the young men heard the allegations against them.
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Eight men will remain behind bars on remand after cops uncovered an alleged drug syndicate following the horror detonation of an IED at a Sydney home.
Joshua Lowe, Jeremy Nguyen and Nicholas Sguras faced Central Local Court on Friday in connection to the detonation of an IED (Improved Explosive Device) made of sparklers, aerosol cans and thumb tacks at a home in Canterbury on June 8.
As a result of the blast homeowner Denise Lavell suffered serious burns to her face, hands, chest and legs.
Eight young men were arrested on Thursday morning.
Among the trio to appear before court on Friday was baby-faced Joshua Lowe, 19, from Malabar.
Appearing via audiovisual link he started sniffing as proceedings began - much to the displeasure of the magistrate.
“Stop sniffing please,” magistrate Margaret Quinn snapped.
“Sorry your honour,” he said.
Lowe was slapped with six charges including taking part in a criminal group and allegedly contributing to the criminal act at Canterbury and multiple drugs charges.
According to police facts, he allegedly took part in the supply of 320g of cannabis, 24g of MDMA, 19g of cocaine and possessing a pill encapsulator for the making of MDMA between June 8 and August 11 in Zetland.
His lawyer made an application for bail saying he was a 19-year-old university student and that his parents would offer a $20,000 surety.
His mother teared up in court as his lawyer said his parents had no idea about his alleged offences before his arrest.
“48 hours ago they thought their only son was a second year commerce student at Macquarie University,” she said.
Lowe dropped his head as the magistrate said police facts alleged he was “heavily involved” in the organisation of the drug supply.
“He set up the drug transactions, runners and drivers according to the facts,” she told the court.
Lowe’s bail was refused.
Jeremy Nguyen, 18, from Wattle Grove donned a black puffer and yawned as he appeared on the screen in court.
Nguyen was slapped with five drugs related charges including knowingly taking part in the supply of 320g of cannabis, 18g of cocaine and 24g of MDMA and contributing to a criminal group.
His legal aid lawyer Paul Hopley made an application for bail saying he was 18 and had no previous criminal record.
Magistrate Philip Stewart told the court police facts alleged the accused used a Snapchat account to “run a drug supply operation.”
While he has been charged with five drugs offences relating to the supply and manufacturing of drugs, the magistrate said there was “scope” for further charges based on the police facts.
Nguyen’s bail was refused.
Lowe and Nguyen’s matters have been adjourned to August 28 for mention and DPP referral.
Nicholas Sguras, 20, from Zetland was charged with seven counts including causing an explosive to explode with intent to harm to Ms Lavell, taking part in the supply of cannabis and cocaine and possessing a pill encapsulator for the production of MDMA.
In a brief mention at Central Local Court, his lawyer did not apply for bail and it was formally refused.
Sguras will appear via AVL on October 8.
Apprentice plumber Massimo Lombardo, 18, from Croydon Park who was charged with causing an explosive to explosive with intent to cause harm was refused bail on Thursday and will return to Burwood Court on August 24.
Zhane Thompson, 19, from Concord, charged with the same charge, was released on bail at Burwood Court on Thursday under strict bail conditions and will return to the same court on October 7.
Patrick Ahn, 19, from Yagoona, charged with causing an explosive to explode with intent to cause harm was also refused bail to return to Bankstown Court on October 8.
Two others, including a 19-year-old from Punchbowl and 17-year-old from Zetland, are before the courts.
Speaking after the arrests, police said the IED had “real potential” to kill or seriously maim the 55-year-old.
Detective superintendent Paul Devaney yesterday said police will allege it was an act of “retribution” from an alleged theft of prohibited drugs and that Ms Lavell was allegedly targeted in an act of “mistaken identity.”
