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Bryce Ellis, Kurt Howlett charged with dealing cocaine

Two men are facing dozens of drug supply charges after police investigating cocaine supply across Sydney’s south and east raided a home and business in Sydney’s south. Detectives allegedly uncovered cocaine, replica firearms, drug paraphernalia and cash.

NSW Police dismantle cocaine supply syndicate in Sydney's south

A sales executive and keen surfer who describes himself as a “self-starter” was allegedly running a significant cocaine syndicate from his home in a swanky southern Sydney neighbourhood.

Police allege Bryce Ellis, 27, was dealing cocaine all over Sydney on a near-daily basis at times between December 2018 up until the day he was arrested at his Caringbah South home.

His friend Kurt Howlett, 29, has also been charged with dealing cocaine and his court papers reveal police allegedly have audio and video evidence of the pair’s criminal activity, including telephone intercepts.

Bryce Ellis was arrested at Caringbah South.
Bryce Ellis was arrested at Caringbah South.
Two men have been charged following a Drug and Firearms Squad investigation into the supply of cocaine in Sydney. Picture: NSW Police
Two men have been charged following a Drug and Firearms Squad investigation into the supply of cocaine in Sydney. Picture: NSW Police

Drug and Firearms Squad detectives who raided Ellis’ home on July 25 after a seven-month investigation into cocaine supply across Sydney allegedly uncovered 16g cocaine, replica firearms, drug paraphernalia, and $2300 in cash.

Ellis was charged with dealing cocaine 23 times in Caringbah, Woolooware, Cronulla and Sydney between December 7 last year and July 25 this year and directing a criminal group to deal drugs for financial or material gain.

“Between 9am on February 20, 2019 and 9.30pm on February 28, 2019 at Caringbah, Ellis did on three or more separate occasions during a period of 30 consecutive days supply a prohibited drug,” court documents allege.

Two men have been charged following a Drug and Firearms Squad investigation into the supply of cocaine in Sydney. Picture: NSW Police
Two men have been charged following a Drug and Firearms Squad investigation into the supply of cocaine in Sydney. Picture: NSW Police

He was also charged with possessing an unauthorised prohibited firearm and possessing an unauthorised firearm.

Ellis applied for bail and was refused by Magistrate Les Mabbutt at Sutherland Local Court on Tuesday.

He will remain behind bars until at his next appearance on September 30.

Howlett, who lives in Woolooware, was arrested and charged the same day with dealing cocaine 13 times between February 20 and July 25, and with participating in a criminal group.

He was refused bail at Sutherland Local Court on July 26 and will also face the same court on September 30.

Two men have been charged following a Drug and Firearms Squad investigation into the supply of cocaine in Sydney. Picture: NSW Police
Two men have been charged following a Drug and Firearms Squad investigation into the supply of cocaine in Sydney. Picture: NSW Police
Two men have been charged following a Drug and Firearms Squad investigation into the supply of cocaine in Sydney. Picture: NSW Police
Two men have been charged following a Drug and Firearms Squad investigation into the supply of cocaine in Sydney. Picture: NSW Police

Facebook posts show Ellis surfing and celebrating his 25th birthday in 2016 on a private 100ft yacht on Sydney Harbour with almost 40 friends.

His LinkedIn profile reveals he works for a global platform software and design company enlisted by telcos, broadcasters, cinemas, hotels and airlines with clients such as the BBC, Emirates and Qantas.

On June 23 Howlett posted a meme sending up women who, after a bad break-up, call police to report their exes as drug dealers.

“Haha nearly every chick in the Shire!!!” Howlett wrote above the post.

Two men have been charged following a Drug and Firearms Squad investigation into the supply of cocaine in Sydney. Picture: NSW Police
Two men have been charged following a Drug and Firearms Squad investigation into the supply of cocaine in Sydney. Picture: NSW Police

For more local news, visit the St George Shire Standard and join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/stgeorge-shire-standard/caringbah-men-charged-with-dealing-cocaine/news-story/ba6a06d6b6d5ff8ddb452acae24e36f3