Harry Kouparris charged with commercial cocaine supply
Police say an alleged Comanchero bikie and an asthmatic electrician hid cocaine they were planning to deal in their undies before a raid allegedly uncovered a commercial quantity of drugs and $37,000 cash at their southern Sydney homes.
St George Shire Standard
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An alleged Comanchero bikie associate who police say was dealing cocaine he hid in his underwear argued he should not be refused bail because his asthma makes him vulnerable to coronavirus.
Harry Kouparris, 29, buried his head in his hands and uttered “oh, my God” when he realised he was going to jail on remand charged with commercial cocaine supply along with his co-accused, alleged Comanchero bikie Alan Marshall.
Police allegedly found 40g of cocaine in the men’s underwear after their arrest on Wednesday, along with a kilogram of cocaine, drug paraphernalia, jewellery, mobile phones, documents and $37,130 cash following raids at their units in Arncliffe and Brighton Le Sands.
At Sutherland Local Court Kouparris’ barrister Phillip Butterfield said Kouparris’ asthma would make him vulnerable to coronavirus if he remained in custody and offered a $15,000 security for his liberty.
However, Magistrate Peter Bugden said there was no evident reason the Earlwood man’s detention was not justified.
“He’s facing 20 years’ jail,” Mr Bugden said.
“It would appear that it’s a very strong prosecution case, involving various drugs in various packages indicating the supply of drugs.”
Both men now stand charged with commercial drug supply, while Kouparris was also charged with two additional counts of supplying cocaine and MDMA.
Marshall, 34, was charged with possessing the stack of cash as the proceeds of crime.
Police prosecutor Glenn Collette told the court officers attached to Strike Force Raptor had been investigating the pair’s alleged involvement in prohibited drug supply since February.
“There was a large machine press commonly used to press cocaine in the apartment,” Mr Collette said.
“When he was searched he had the cocaine in 10 bags which were contained in his underwear – if there was a conviction a long custodial sentence would ensue.”
Kouparris now has the option of applying for bail in the Supreme Court, while Marshall reserved his right to apply for bail in the Local Court after declining to make an application on Thursday.
They will next face Central Local Court on May 28.