Gregory Brain sentenced for drug supply in Penrith, Bathurst syndicate

The son of a senior ex-cop caught with half a million dollars in his car boot after an undercover sting has learned his fate for supplying drugs.

Cambridge Park’s Gregory Raymond Brain will serve three years in jail after police busted him with $560,000 cash stuffed into an Aldi bag in the boot of his car during a sting into a cocaine syndicate.

Brain was the upline drug supplier in the syndicate and pleaded guilty to three counts of drug supply and dealing with the criminal proceeds of crime more than $100,000 after the offences in October and November 2020.

The 37 year old, whose sergeant father retired after being medically discharged following more than 30 years in the police force, was arrested in March last year, a month after cops stopped him in the car and found the cash vacuum sealed in the boot.

Brain's undoing came more than a year after police formed a strike force investigating a cocaine syndicate operating across western Sydney and Bathurst.

On Monday during his sentencing, Penrith District Court heard how Brain was the syndicate’s upline supplier.

On October 7, 2020 he was recorded arranging the supply of 84g of cocaine, with the handover taking place at a work site at Penrith. Court documents reveal part of the batch was supplied to the dealer, who provided it to an undercover police officer.

The following week, Brain supplied another 84g of cocaine at a workplace at Claremont Meadows and then in November another exchange took place at Jamisontown netball courts.

Brain was arrested in February 2021 when cops stopped him and his partner in his car on Luxford Rd, Bidwill.

The court heard his partner was not aware of the offending.

She wrote a letter tendered to the court describing him as “the kindest person with the biggest heart, always putting others first”.

Director of Public Prosecutions, Lisa Graham, said it was baffling how Brain, who had not given sworn evidence, did not mention how he was arrested with half a million dollars in his car during reports to a psychologist.

Brain, who had been arrested for common assault in 2006 but not convicted, conceded in custody that he was gullible and realised the impact his actions had on his partner and family after his arrest.

He was “desensitised’’ because “cocaine had been normalised in his social group’’.

He had impressed Corrective Services and the Salvation Army chaplain who conducted a positive lifestyle program in which he was participating.

The Salvation Army chaplain said he had “progressed well” in jail and jail staff praised him as “one of our most valued inmates” who works to a “high standard”.

The court heard Brain had a stable and loving childhood, and showed remorse and insight into his offending with good prospects of rehabilitation.

Judge Karen Robinson told the court there was no evidence Brain’s involvement in the syndicate did not extend beyond the three incidents.

His employer is also planning to re-employ him as a concreter when he is released from jail.

Justice Robinson sentenced Brain to three years behind bars until March 9, 2024. His early pleas allowed him a 25 per cent discount and the sentence will be backdated. He will be eligible for parole on January 9.

Two other men charged for their alleged roles in the syndicate, Darren Wayne Peachy and Mikkel Isaac, have not entered pleas and their matters remain before the courts.

Mr Isaac has been charged with 42 charges including 25 counts of supplying prohibited drugs and knowingly direct activities of criminal group.

Mr Peachy faces 12 charges including participating in a criminal group, nine counts of supplying prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis, supplying a prohibited drug greater than a commercial quantity and supplying a prohibited drug greater than a large commercial quantity.