Dial-a-dealer Simon Va Tupua: Blacktown coke supplier caught on north shore

A dial-a-dealer construction worker was caught with ‘seven bags of powder’ in his car and numerous drug messages on his mobile phone. See what happened in Manly Court.

Simon Va Tupua, 34, of Blacktown, outside Manly Local Court on Thursday. Picture: Jim O'Rourke

A Saturday night dial-a-dealer supplier was caught with seven bags of cocaine in his car and a “drug ledger” on his phone when he was arrested on Sydney’s north shore, Manly Local Court has heard.

Construction worker Simon Va Tupua, 34, of Blacktown, also had messages on his mobile advising him of pick-up and drop-off locations and screenshots of payments being sent to numerous bank accounts.

Police also found $2750 in cash in his bag when they stopped him in his car at Crows Nest, late on September 29. He even had a hidden compartment in his Toyota Corolla.

The court heard that Tupua, who pleaded guilty to one count each of supply a prohibited drug and recklessly deal with the proceeds of crime, became a drug dealer after Covid ruined his construction business.

His lawyer said he became a “small time street dealer” because he was suffering financial difficulties during the pandemic.

Simon Va Tupua, 34, of Blacktown, had seven bags of cocaine in his Toyota Corolla. Picture: Jim O'Rourke

In facts sheet tendered to court police stated they pulled Tupua over when he was seen driving at 20kp/h over the speed limit in Alexander St at Crows Nest at about 11.15pm.

When they asked him what he doing in the area she said he was “just going for a cruise” before meeting a woman at Chatswood.

As police searched the car he told officers “oh, I just picked up some cocaine not long ago.”

Police found seven resealable plastic bags of the drug in the car’s centre console.

Tupua told police he bought the drugs at Manly for $1400 and said he was going to supply the drugs to his “mates”.

Police then found the $2750 in cash.

In the facts sheet police stated they “observed numerous screenshots and messages indicating the supply of prohibited drugs”.

The screenshots contained notes with dates and times that listed the amount of “bags” sold and the total amount of cash collected, according to police.

“Police allege this to be a drug ledger that is used to assist in the supply of prohibited drugs,” the facts sheet stated.

Simon Va Tupua’s mobile phone contained details of drug supply arrangements, Manly court was told. Picture: Jim O'Rourke

“Several screenshots of payments being sent from the accused to unknown bank accounts, numerous contacts … times and locations were also observed on his mobile phone.

“The accused had several locations screenshot and messages advising him on which location he needs to attend.”

Tupua’s phone also contained a video of him revealing a hidden compartment in the driver’s side door.

Magistrate Robyn Denes said it was not clear “what level of street dealer you were”.

But she told him he had no excuse to turn to supplying drugs for financial gain when there were official financial assistance packages for small businesses during Covid.

Tupua was handed an 18-month community corrections order to be of good behaviour.