Harry Koupparis granted bail over cocaine supply charges
An alleged bikie associate who police say had cocaine stuffed in his undies and locked inside a safe in his Sydney unit is out on bail after his mother put up the $3 million family home for his release.
St George Shire Standard
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An alleged bikie associate who police say had cocaine in his undies and inside a safe in his Sydney unit was granted bail after his mother put the $3 million family home on the line for his release.
Harry Koupparis, 29, was charged with commercial cocaine supply along with his co-accused, alleged Comanchero bikie Alan Marshall after police allegedly found the pair with several bags of cocaine in their underwear on March 26.
Subsequent raids at their units in Arncliffe and Brighton Le Sands allegedly unearthed a kilogram of cocaine, $37,130 cash, mobile phones, documents and drug paraphernalia including plastic “baggies”, and a machine commonly used to press cocaine after it is cut.
At his Supreme Court bail hearing Koupparis’ barrister Ertunç Özen said the cocaine was allegedly found in a safe in Koupparis’ bedroom, but that Marshall held the only key.
“The Crown case is that he was acting under the control of this person, (Alan) Marshall,” Mr Özen said.
“There is no indication he had any access to that safe and it appears as though Mr Marshall has gone to some care to make sure he was the only person that could access that safe.”
Justice Natalie Adams granted Koupparis bail after his mother put a $1 million security from their $3 million family home on the line for his release, noting the inevitable delay before a trial could proceed due to coronavirus.
Justice Adams also said alleged police facts indicated Marshall was the “primary offender”.
“There was some paraphernalia associated with drug use located at the applicant’s flat,” Justice Adams said.
“(But) I accept that in relation to the drugs found in the safe, the facts currently available suggest nothing higher than (Koupparis) may have permitted them to be stored there.”
Justice Adams also suggested Koupparis would not be tempted to flee Australia as it would be one of the safest places in the world to be during the ongoing coronavirus crisis.
Koupparis will have to live with his mother at the family home in Earlwood effectively under house arrest and will not be permitted to leave home except with his mother or his brother.
He will be confined to the home altogether between 10.30pm and 6am unless in the event of a medical emergency and will have to report to Campsie police daily.
Koupparis crossed himself and dropped his head when he was granted bail.
He will not be required to attend his next court date at Central Local Court on May 28 in person if he is legally represented.