Benjamin Nossiter: Eastwood man bail bid in alleged drug supply scheme

A north Sydney man charged with the supply of a commercial quantity of meth has made a bid for bail to attend an exclusive residential rehab program. See why his first bail attempt was knocked back.

Sydney Supreme Courthouse. Picture: Bianca De Marchi

A man from Sydney’s north charged with a slew of serious drug-related offences, including the supply of a commercial quantity of meth has made a fresh bail attempt after his previous application to care for his sick mother was denied.

On Thursday Eastwood man Benjamin Nossiter, 35, appeared via videolink at the Supreme Court in his second bid for bail — this time telling the court he would around attending Connect Global, an expensive residential rehabilitation centre in Swan Bay.

On September 1, Nossiter unsuccessfully applied for bail at Hornsby Local Court in a bid to be with his sick mother.

Police say Nossiter was arrested after months of surveillance and faced 15 charges, including commercial drug supply, ongoing drug supply, forging drivers licences and dealing with the proceeds of crime.

Since then he has been charged with two further alleged offences — possessing or using a prohibited weapon without a permit and possessing 1.74 grams of cocaine. He is yet to enter any pleas.

Nossiter made a fresh bid for bail at the Supreme Court in Sydney. Picture: Bianca De Marchi

According to documents tendered to court, police allege Nossiter supplied 45kg (or litres) of an illegal drug on two occasions between May 31 and July 11 at Parramatta.

Nossiter also allegedly supplied 1692g of meth on five separate occasions this year.

Earlier this year, Nossiter was unsuccessful in his bail application at Hornsby Local Court.

Nossiter was also charged with being in the possession of a range of luxury cars, including an Audi, and a silver ring valued at $43000 — all allegedly the proceeds of crime.

On Thursday in the Supreme Court Nossiter’s defence barrister, Tom Hughes, said Nossiter had a long history of substance abuse and needed long term rehabilitation as he awaits his matter’s trial.

The prosecution responded that while Nossiter’s previous criminal record has the hallmarks of someone who was addicted to drugs, the current alleged offences are of an entirely different scale.

“This is a threat that exists wholly separate from any drug use,” the prosecutor said.

The prosecution raised a police recorded conversation between Nossiter and his mother where the 35-year-old is alleged to have said “I was out of control, but the fact is drugs are in my life — it’s my lifestyle and it’s how I make my money”.

The prosecution further alleged Nossiter had set up a tobacco business as a front to store both money and illicit drugs, telling the court it demonstrated “long term planning and involvement”.

Nossiter is also alleged to have achieved an affluent lifestyle through the alleged drug syndicate, with the prosecution giving examples of receipts for a private flight to Queensland and a private yacht hire as evidence of Nossiter’s alleged new found wealth.

“This is the lifestyle has gained through drug supply,” the prosecution said. “It is him sitting at the top of his syndicate”.

Justice Julia Lonergan reserved her judgment on whether to grant bail, citing a need for more details about the proposed residential rehabilitation centre as well as where the money would come from to pay for Nossiter’s treatment.

Justice Lonergan adjourned the matter to December 19.

Regardless of whether he is granted bail, Nossiter is next due to appear at Parramatta Local Court on February 2, 2023.