Alleged Comanchero associate facing drug, firearm and weapons charges over police raids on Central Coast
William Arthur Phillips, who police allege is a Comanchero associate, is facing 18 drug, firearm and weapon offences following raids on Central Coast homes in December last year.
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A man, who police allege is a Comanchero outlaw motorcycle gang (OMCG) associate, fronted Toronto Local Court on Tuesday charged over 18 drug, firearm and weapon offences.
On December 11 last year, police searched homes on the Central Coast, on Pirama Rd and Gorokan Rd, at Wyee following investigations by Strike Force Raptor North into alleged criminal activity.
William Arthur Phillips, 60, was one of three men arrested during the operation.
He’s facing charges relating to the possession of an M70 243 rifle, a black home made single shot firearm, black taser and ammunition.
Phillips also has charges for possession of 125 grams of cannabis leaf, 74 grams of dried cannabis leaf and growing 11 cannabis plants at the Pirama Rd property.
In court, Phillips was unrepresented, with the matter quickly adjourned until March for a brief to be served by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Following a separate arrest on the same day, Comanchero member Frederick Lewis, 47, appeared at Toronto Local Court in December where he pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis, methylamphetamine and MDMA but didn’t enter a plea to possession of cannabis oil and the supply of methylamphetamine.
In court papers, police allege that the raid on Pirama Rd, where Lewis resided, numerous drugs were found in the kitchen and lounge room.
Police facts allege that cannabis oil was located in the fridge, cannabis head in a plastic bag in the lounge room as well as ice, which Lewis indicated was for personal use and relief for back and leg pain.
A beige powder believed to be MDMA (methylamphetamine) was discovered in the lounge room but Lewis had told police it was from a female friend who had left it there.
A small ‘lock box’, opened by police also contained ice. Police facts stated Lewis said it belonged to a third party and he did not have access.
On December 12 last year, Lewis’ solicitor Chris O’Brien made a bail application citing a number of health issues his client suffered.
But Magistrate Ron Maiden refused bail at the time, with the matter to return to Toronto Court on today.
That same day, in separate proceedings, John Hamilton Fitzgerald, 48, who police also allege is a Comanchero associate, pleaded guilty to seven charges of cultivating and possessing cannabis and firearm offences.