Jake Hunter charged after cocaine, cash seized from Sydney Olympic Park unit

A handcuffed scaffolder yelled out ‘I love you’ to his girlfriend in court where his lawyer requested bail after he was charged with a string of drug and firearm offences.

Police responded to calls about gunshots but allegedly seized drugs and cash.

Scaffolder Jake Hunter yelled out to his girlfriend “I love you” as they each made a love heart sign with their hands in court when he was refused bail after more than $35,000 cash and weapons were seized at a Sydney Olympic Park unit complex.

Emergency services were called to Figtree Drive on Thursday about 2.30pm after reports a member of the public had heard a gunshot inside a unit complex.

Auburn police and the Public Order Riot Squad began inquiries.

Police found no evidence of gunshots and no injuries were reported but instead seized bags allegedly containing cocaine and $36,921 cash.

They searched the unit and allegedly found mobile phones, a spear gun, hunting knives, steroids and other prohibited drugs.

The items were also seized to undergo forensic examination.

Jake Hunter appeared at Parramatta Local Court via video link.

Mr Hunter, 27, was arrested at the property and taken to Auburn police station where he was charged with knowingly deal with proceeds of crime and supplying 143g of cocaine.

He was refused bail to appear via video link before Parramatta Local Court on Friday where his lawyer Upol Amin told the court there was an “issue of knowledge” and his client was allegedly directed by someone to move a package and put it in a cupboard.

Mr Amin alleged his client did not know about the drugs or money.

Mr Amin said Mr Hunter had two drug offences on his record for which he received a fine and a four-month sentence but “it’s not one of the worst records that have come before the court”.

Mr Amin said his client would live in the house of his partner’s mother at Kellyville Ridge and only leave for work as a scaffolder, provide $10,000 surety, surrender his passport, report to Riverstone police station and not enter Sydney Olympic Park if granted bail.

The court heard he could be remanded in custody between 12 and 18 months.

“For him to be remanded in custody for that amount of time would be unjust,’’ Mr Amin said.

However, Magistrate Geoffrey Hiatt refused bail and agreed with the prosecution that Mr Hunter would be a threat to public safety.

The matter will return to Burwood Local Court on March 8.