Kurt Howlett: Woronora Heights man pleads guilty to cocaine supply
A Sydney automotive interior designer who pimps rides for a living has pleaded guilty to dealing cocaine all over the city after a major police investigation into illegal drug supply.
St George Shire Standard
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A Sydney man who pimps rides for a living has pleaded guilty to dealing cocaine all over the city after a seven-month police investigation into illegal drug supply.
Kurt Howlett, 30, spent weeks behind bars on remand after a dramatic police raid at a home and a factory in Caringbah in July 2019 which allegedly uncovered 16g of cocaine, replica firearms, drug paraphernalia and $2300 cash.
The Woronora Heights man has now pleaded guilty to one count of indictable prohibited drug supply after police withdrew 14 additional charges of prohibited drug supply and one charge of participating in a criminal group.
He will be sentenced at Downing Centre Local Court on July 16.
Howlett runs an automotive interior design business in Sydney’s southwest where he refits cars with bespoke interiors, including brightly coloured seats, steering wheels and trims in shades of cherry red, mint green and turquoise.
ASIC records also reveal Howlett previously registered a business name for a luxury handbag company for a year in February 2019.
Police have also charged Howlett’s friend Bryce Ellis, 28, with 39 offences after the pair were arrested as part of the same investigation.
Drugs and Firearms Squad detectives allege the keen surfer 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.
Police allege he dealt cocaine on several occasions in Caringbah, Woolooware, Cronulla and Sydney between December 7, 2018 and July 25, 2019.
Ellis now faces 26 charges of prohibited drug supply, two charges of ongoing prohibited drug supply and one charge of having an unauthorised firearm.
He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Police withdrew an additional six charges including directing a criminal group, deriving financial benefit from a criminal group and second charges of possessing an unauthorised firearm and ongoing prohibited drug supply.
Ellis’ 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.
He will next face Downing Centre Local Court on July 2.