Simon Irving refused bail, charged after drug lab found in Murrurundi
A court has heard Simon Irving, 42, was used as a “go between” in a large drug syndicate to help others avoid detection.
Newcastle
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A court has heard, an Aberdeen man was the “go between” in a large drug syndicate operating in the Upper Hunter, to help the “essential players” avoid detection.
Simon John Irving, 42, was one of three men charged over the supply and manufacture of a commercial quantity of amphetamines after a clandestine laboratory was discovered in the shed of a property at Murrurundi on August 14.
The discovery was part of an operation by Strike Force Delisle, set up on the mid-north-coast in May, to investigate a drug supply ring that reached from the Coffs Coast to the Hunter Valley.
In Sydney’s Supreme Court on Tuesday, Irving made an application for his release.
The Crown Prosecutor told the court phone intercepts by police showed Irving had knowledge of the manufacture and collection of drugs and had assisted the co-accused.
“It is the Crowns submissions that what we have here, is a well organised operation where this applicant is a go between and part of his role is to help avoid detection for the syndicate,” he said.
“His role is significant.”
He also mentioned a log book, the property of a co-accused, which he said linked Irving and the use of words such as “2kg fish” were seen as code words for drugs.
But Irving’s solicitor David Murray denied the so called “code words” and said there was little to connect his client to unlawful activity.
“In phone intercepts, nothing were yielded in those, it is not a strong case,” he said.
“There is nothing to connect my client to the diary (log book).”
Mr Murray told the court Irving did not have a history steeped in criminal associations or ties, was a family man and had strong links to Aberdeen where he was a “well rounded” member of the community.
On making his decision, Justice Michael Walton noted it was a serious charge with a maximum of life imprisonment, and if convicted would be likely to attract a substantial custodial sentence.
“On police facts it is obvious he had knowledge of the manufacture and establish a clear association with co-accused,” Justice Walton added.
“Production of such drugs and his involvement is a matter of real concern to the community.”
The bail application was then dismissed.
Two other men were also charged, were arrested on the same day as the raid after highway patrol officers stopped their utility near the northern tablelands town of Ebor and allegedly found meth, ammunition and chemicals.
A 45-year-old man from Murrurundi was charged with the manufacture of a large commercial quantity of prohibited drugs, while a 47-year-old man from Billy’s Creek, west of Coffs Harbour, was charged with manufacture and supply of a commercial quantity of drugs.
They’re both before the courts.