Bobby Murray-Waititi sentenced for role in alleged Sydney cocaine ring

A judge praised a drug dealer for being ‘refreshingly frank’ about his motives but did not appreciate that candour when he learned his punishment. Find out what happened in court.

Drug dealer Bobby Murray Waititi will spend at least another 13 months behind bars for his role in an alleged cocaine and MDMA syndicate in western Sydney after he fell for an undercover police operation in western Sydney “hook line and sinker”.

The 25 year old appeared via video link at Parramatta District Court on Thursday when Judge Mark Buscombe convicted and sentenced him to three years and four months in prison.

His guilty pleas allowed him a 25 per cent discount and he is eligible for parole in April 2025 but Murray-Waititi responded “f--king’’ when he learned his fate for helping Grant Taulafo in the alleged syndicate.

Judge Buscombe told him he did not appreciate the swearing.

“If you’re happy for me to revisit the sentence, I’m happy to do so,’’ he told Murray-Waititi as he stormed out the door of the jail room.

Grant Taulafo was busted in a hotel room at Parramatta while Bobby Murray was arrested nearby. Picture: NSW Police

The court heard Murray Waititi supplied 1.595kg of cocaine between December 2022 and February last year. He dropped off 55.53g of MDMA to undercover police.

The Gregory Hills man allegedly procured cocaine from Iakopo Ieremia Ta’ala and, along with Taulafo, it was supplied to the undercover operative six times after organising meetings, mostly at the Rydalmere McDonald’s and Bunnings carparks through encrypted messaging application Wickr.

The drug deals were exchanged for $22,500, $60,000, $31,000, $74,500, $77,000 and $500,000 stuffed in Woolworths and Coles bags.

The alleged ring unravelled when Strike Force Howse swooped on a hotel room of the Holiday Inn at Anderson St, Parramatta after Taulafo handed the undercover cop a brown parcel with 1.008kg of cocaine and 75 per cent purity.

He was handed $500,000 cash but uniformed police soon detained him.

Murray-Waititi’s fingerprints were found on the money counter in the room.

The parcel containing more than 1kg of cocaine. Picture: NSW Police

He was arrested nearby around the General Bourke Hotel and charged with participating in a criminal group contributing to criminal activity, supplying a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug and supplying a prohibited drug (indictable).

Ta’ala was also arrested nearby and charged with taking part in the supply of a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug, supplying prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis, participating in a criminal group contributing to criminal activity, seven counts of supplying a prohibited drug (indictable) and supplying a commercial quantity of a prohibited drug.

He has not yet entered a plea and the matter is next due in court on March 21.

Shortly after, five properties were searched at properties in Lurnea, Warwick Farm, Raby and Gregory Hills, and a business in Cabramatta.

Murray Waititi’s aunt Fiona gave evidence in court and said her nephew was living in a car when he failed to pay rent.

“He was just desperate - no money, no job, had to make ends meet,’’ she said.

She said he was ashamed.

“He’s remorseful, he’s sorry to all the family and he’s regretful but happy (the drugs) didn’t go out there further to the community.’’

Like Taulafo, he was a promising rugby league player and moved from New Zealand to Parkes in western NSW, when he secured a rugby league contract in 2017.

When the team failed to make the finals he became out of pocket and felt isolated.

He enjoyed consistent work as a forklift driver but injured his hand during the pandemic.

He told a psychologist: “I feel like I saw the money that could be made.’’

Judge Buscombe said it was “a frank statement that this court sees very seldom”.

He told the court his offences were serious.

“The supply of prohibited drugs is causing untold damage in our community,’’ he said.

“It’s destroying lives, families and the very fabric of our community.’’

The court also heard offenders often fell for undercover cops’ traps just as Murray-Waititi did.

“It’s remarkable how many people fall for it,’’ he said.

“People fall for it hook link and sinker.’’

Strike Force Howse raided properties in southwest Sydney after the arrests.

The offender’s family including his mother, aunt, girlfriend and partner supported him in the courtroom.

Murray Waititi’s barrister argued Taulafo’s offending was worse but the Crown prosecutor told the court otherwise with Murray Waititi ultimately procuring the cocaine that Taulafo handed to the cop.

“Taulafo and Murray Waititi also haggled over the share from the transaction - Taulafo repeatedly proposed he retain $1000 while Murray Waititi retain $500,’’ fact sheets said.

On another occasion, an intercepted call between Murray Waititi and Taulafo revealed Murray Waititi referred to himself “getting $10k” for the supply.

During his interview with police, Murray Waititi said: “F--k I was just the driver … just for the boys’ when asked what happened to get him to Anderson St, Parramatta, the day of the arrest.

The judge said Murray Waititi and Taulafo’s offending was just as serious and handed him the same sentence.

Last month, another judge sentenced Taulafo to three years and four months in jail.