Patrick Manansala: Bexley man sentenced for running drugs for cocaine supply syndicate

A soon-to-be father who couriered bags of cocaine across Sydney in his white Subaru, often picking up the stash of white powder from a mechanic business, has been sentenced.

Patrick Manansala appeared at Sutherland Local Court on Tuesday.

A runner for a drug supply syndicate operating out of a Marrickville car servicing company has admitted to supplying 24 bags of cocaine across an eight day period.

Patrick Manansala, 32, of Bexley appeared at Sutherland Local Court on Tuesday, supported by his partner as he pleaded guilty to drug supply.

Agreed facts tendered to court state he was a “low-level runner”, completing street level deliveries for a drug syndicate which used a “run phone” which was being monitored by police.

The court documents state Manansala was allegedly directed by Ali Berro, and throughout the four month investigation the Bexley man was identified as using his white Subaru Impreza to travel around Sydney supplying cocaine to customers.

Manansala allegedly collected the cocaine from Antonio Falematagi, at either Motorserve in Marrickville or at his Arncliffe home, court documents state.

Sutherland Local Court.

Police state through analysis of the “run phone”, customers were provided a description of Manansala’s Subaru on at least eight different days.

During a search warrant of Motorserve, investigators seized the CCTV system which showed recordings of Manansala having “short meetings” with Falematagi which police say were “for the purpose of obtaining cocaine to supply”.

Falematagi’s Ford Ranger was also seized with police allegedly finding 18 bags of cocaine.

Court documents, tendered in Manansala’s proceedings, allege the syndicate supplied at least than 375 individual bags of cocaine, weighing 0.53g, across Sydney.

Manansala supplied 24 bags of cocaine, weighing 12.72g, across eight individual days between January 15 and February 12.

Documents tendered to court allege Berro was the controller of the syndicate and had exclusive control of the intercepted run phone across the entire period of the investigation, with Falematagi’s alleged role to manage the supply of cocaine to runners and customers.

Manansala presented himself to Kogarah police station on February 27 where he was arrested.

Patrick Manansala outside court.

On Tuesday, the 32-year-old’s lawyer said it was his client’s first time before the court and he was at the “lower end of the hierarchy” of drug supply.

The lawyer said Manansala was undertaking treatment for depression and anxiety for the next 12 months and had expressed remorse for his offending.

The court heard the Bexley man coached basketball in a volunteer capacity to young people in Bankstown and was expecting a child in July.

In sentencing, Magistrate Jillian Kiely noted Manansala had faced “financial difficulties” with mortgage payments and starting a family, but said there was a need for deterrence.

He was convicted of drug supply and sentenced to a two-year community correction order, which took into account a plea of guilty to participate criminal group contribute criminal activity

Berro is charged with supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis, supply prohibited drug, knowingly/recklessly direct criminal group assist crime, deal with proceeds of crime, and possess prohibited drug.

Falematagi is facing charges of supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis, supply prohibited drug, knowingly/recklessly direct criminal group assist crime and possess prohibited drug.

Both men are yet to enter pleas and are due to return to Downing Centre Local Court on June 29.