Raptor Squad North: Tyson Leota jailed for drug supply of ice, gummy nerd ropes across Hunter

A court has heard a Hunter man was dealing drugs to fund his gambling addiction, with ice, gummy cannabis lollies and buprenorphine strips seized at his home.

Police raids discovered drugs on June 6, 2023. Picture: NSW Police.

A court has heard a man caught with ice and cannabis-laced ‘nerd ropes’ was dealing drugs to pay off his gambling debts.

In a dramatic arrest Tyson Leota, 25, was taken into custody at an Edgeworth property on June 6 last year after two short police pursuits across Lake Macquarie.

Raptor Squad North had help from the tactical operations unit and the dog squad to hunt Leota down after officers unsuccessfully made attempts to arrest him at Bennetts Green.

It followed a simultaneous raid at Kurri Kurri – where Leota lived with his partner and her sister – where police seized almost 350 grams of methylamphetamine.

Police facts said there was also 2.5 kilograms of edible gummy rope encased in a plastic bag and shoebox labelled “medicated nerd rope” which contained THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), an ingredient of cannabis.

Tyson Leota arrested by Raptor North officers on June 6, 2023. Picture: NSW Police.

Court documents also revealed 50 buprenorphine strips were found in Leota’s bedroom and more than $6000 cash in the kitchen.

Other items located at the property included freezer bags, a drug scale and a K19 Anti GPS/SPY/Motion detector – all items consistent with the supply of prohibited drugs.

Police facts said examination of phones at the property also found coded communication about the operation of a drug supply business with evidence of the supply of several substances including cannabis, meth, MDMA and cocaine.

Leota pleaded guilty to a charge of large commercial drug supply, drug supply and possession, deal with the proceeds of crime and goods suspected stolen.

Some of the drugs found at Leota’s Kurri Kurri home on June 6, 2023. Picture: NSW Police.

Some of the haul by Raptor Squad North. Picture: NSW Police.

He was also charged with three counts of driving a motor vehicle during a disqualification period and two counts of police pursuit which he was sentenced for in June and given a three year jail term with a non-parole period of two years.

In Newcastle District Court on Friday, Leota’s solicitor Iain Bruce firstly discussed an appeal against his driving and pursuit matters but that was quickly withdrawn and his convictions and sentence confirmed.

The court heard Leota had both a drug and gambling problem and the 25-year-old had been dealing drugs to “discharge a debt” and fund his gambling addiction.

Crown solicitor Louise Hill said they were significant drug offences of large quantities and his criminal history didn’t assist him.

Judge Anthony Blackmore SC sentenced Leota to a jail term of four years with a non-parole period of two years and six months, which will see him eligible for release in June 2026.

He also recommended the 25-year-old participate in treatment on his release for his drug and gambling addiction.