James Calleja: Bonnyrigg man sentenced for party drug supply

A senior figure of a party drug syndicate, supplying illegal narcotics across Sydney’s nightclub and festival scene, has been sentenced.

The leader of a party drug syndicate has been sentenced for his role in directing and supplying drugs across Sydney’s nightclub and festival rave scene.

Bonnyrigg man James Calleja appeared via videolink at Downing Centre District Court and remained emotionless, with his brother sitting on in the courtroom, as he faced Judge Dina Yehia SC to learn his fate for his role as a party drug dealer.

Calleja had pleaded guilty to supplying commercial quantities of drugs and knowingly directing the activities of a criminal group, among other drug supply charges.

James Calleja has been sentenced over his role in leading a party drug syndicate.

The court heard Calleja first began using drugs at the age of 12 and was significantly affected by his parents divorce.

He smoked pot at age 12 because it made him feel “euphoric” and continued smoking regularly up until his arrest.

Calleja also began binge drinking at 12 and soon moved onto harder drugs, using cocaine regularly, as well as LSD and MDMA by the age of 16.

This drug use allowed Calleja to feel “relaxed” and “normal”, the court heard.

The court also heard Calleja was bullied at school due to his weight and learning difficulties. He was also traumatised by an event in 2012, when he witnessed a car run over a young boy.

James Calleja (left) first started smoking marijuana aged 12.

When delivering her sentence, Judge Yehia told the court Calleja was “a middleman” in this operation, who gave instructions and directed others.

The court also heard Calleja’s drug running operation was not “sophisticated” — no code names were used and there were intercepted telephone calls with members of the syndicate openly discussing how many “caps” they sold.

The court also heard Calleja has been diagnosed a major depressive and his early pleas of guilty demonstrated remorse.

However, Judge Yehia said Calleja’s offending conduct must be denounced and punished.

“Although (the operation) was not sophisticated, the offender did engage in planning and organisation,” Judge Yehia said.

“I know the offender was not the principal … he was the source of drugs for the “runners”, and in that sense he was an upline supplier,” Judge Yehia said.

“He was also distributing drugs throughout Sydney, primarily in nightclubs.”

James Calleja has been jailed for his crimes.

Calleja was arrested in March 2020 following a six-month investigation by Strike Force Hiddenite detectives, investigating the supply of LSD and MDMA in Sydney’s inner suburbs.

Supplier Alex Dubov and dealers Alex Rainbow, Madyson Brooks and Lucy Kelly have all been sentenced for their role in the drug syndicate.

For his crimes, Calleja was sentenced to seven years and six months in jail, with a non-parole period of four years and six months commencing March 4, 2020.

Having already served time in prison, the earliest Calleja could be released is September 4, 2024.