Cory Neville: Eastern suburbs dial-a-dealer convicted after supplying ‘coke’ and ketamine in Coogee

A Sydney builder who doubling as a dial-a-dealer to supply coke and ketamine in the eastern suburbs has been sentenced in court. Here’s what unfolded.

Cory Neville was convicted in Waverley Local Court on Wednesday.

A Sydney builder doubled as a dial-a-dealer “struck bad company” before supplying coke and ketamine in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, a court has heard.

Cory Neville, a 26-year-old builder from Botany was supported by his uncle as he was sentenced in Waverley Local Court on Wednesday after previously pleading guilty to two counts of drug supply, deal with property proceeds of crime and drug possession.

Agreed facts tendered to the court reveal Neville picked up a man on Brook St, Coogee about 10.45pm on September 24 last year.

Police were conducting surveillance in the area relating to dial-a-dealer transactions and officers spotted the man enter Neville’s black Toyota HiLux.

It prompted police to stop the car, with the man allegedly fleeing the scene on Coogee Bay Rd.

Cory Neville walking out of Waverley Local Court on Wednesday.

Police then conducted a search of Neville and his car, finding $500 in the centre console and $250 on the passenger seat.

During the search, Neville was seen attempting to “dispose of a clear resealable” bag over the fence of a nearby property. Police found “a number” of clear resealable bags.

Neville was arrested and cautioned and when questioned he said two of the bags were cocaine and 12 were ketamine. He was then taken to Maroubra Police Station.

An analysis on the bags found a total of 1.26 grams of cocaine and 4.51 grams of ketamine.

On Wednesday, Neville’s lawyer Mr Eid said his client has “taken full responsibility” for his actions, evidenced by completing a positive lifestyle program.

“Leading up to the offence he was making [multiple] poor choices,” Mr Eid said.

Waverley Local Court. Picture by Damian Shaw

“This offence took place not long after he moved out of the family house in Botany … he struck bad company … [and] took a stupid opportunity to supply drugs to people who are struggling out there.”

Mr Eid referenced a conversation he had with Neville before his sentence where the 26-year-old said drug suppliers “deserve to be arrested and locked up”.

“I said ‘how do you feel if you got locked up today’ … to his credit he said ‘I hope I don’t … but I can understand if I did’,” Mr Eid said.

In sentencing Neville, Magistrate Ross Hudson was frank in his assessment of Neville’s offending.

“There’s no doubt … this is setting up a business, this is not just a chance of you having something in your pocket,” Magistrate Hudson said.

“For some ridiculous reason you thought this was a good idea and fast money … fast money is a mythical creature.”

Magistrate Hudson highlighted Neville’s willingness to improve, completing “a number of different courses”.

He warned Neville, saying if he was to come before the court again, it wouldn’t be a matter of if he goes to jail, but for “how long”.

Magistrate Hudson convicted the 26-year-old for the two drug supply charges. For the cocaine supply, he was placed on a 12 month conditional release order.

He was placed on a 12 month community corrections order for ketamine supply and fined $550 for proceeds of crime charge.

The drug possession charge was dismissed.