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

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 bid for bail to be with his sick mother.

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 failed in a bid for bail to be with his sick mother.

Benjamin Nossiter, 35, appeared before Hornsby Local Court on Wednesday after he was arrested following months of police surveillance, the court heard.

The Eastwood man has been charged with 15 charges, including commercial drug supply, ongoing drug supply, forging drivers licences and dealing with the proceeds of crime.

He is yet to enter a plea.

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.

Benjamin Nossiter applied for bail via videolink. Picture: Matthew Vasilescu.

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.

Court documents allege Nossiter was in possession of material — including NSW Waratah holograms — needed to forge drivers licences and allegedly possessed a number of forged driver’s licences under the names of “Nicholas Cottee” and “Helena Harpes”.

In court, Nossiter’s defence lawyer Tom Hughes told the court his client should be granted bail with a curfew and ankle bracelet for monitoring.

“It’s dizzying just how often it’s considered by the prosecution that everyone is a flight risk,” Mr Hughes said, citing Nossiter’s strong community ties including his ill mother.

His lawyer told the court all the alleged equipment enabling Nossiter to produce fraudulent medicare cards and drivers licences has been confiscated.

But the police prosecutor said the case was strong as a result of tapped phones, ongoing police surveillance and the location of a large amount of illegal drugs.

“(If proven) he is likely to see a lengthy custodial sentence ... some of these matters are a lifetime imprisonment (sentence),” the prosecutor said.

“Given his lengthy criminal history, given the ongoing supply of these drugs ... even a 24-hour curfew would be completely insufficient.”

Magistrate Alexander Mijovich denied Nossiter bail citing his “lengthy criminal history” and the apparent strength of the prosecution case.

“These are serious offences ... (and there) appears to be forensic and electronic evidence,” Mr Mijovich said. “The dealings and the activities were going on throughout daylight hours.”

The matter will return to court on October 12.