Mitchell Hewerdine charged with drug supply in Double Bay

An alleged bikie associate who owns a landscaping business with a former NRL player currently playing in the UK has been charged with operating a drug supply and money laundering network.

Criminal Groups Squad detectives have charged a man for allegedly operating a drug supply and money laundering network under Strike Force Torino.

An alleged bikie associate who is in business with an NRL player and his brother is behind bars accused of supplying MDMA and cocaine after a raid at a swanky Double Bay address.

Mitchell Hewerdine, 26, was arrested at a Court Rd home early on Wednesday before officers carried out separate raids at two Wallacia properties in Sydney’s west.

“Police will allege in court the 26-year-old man directed a network of young males to supply prohibited drugs across the Sydney metropolitan area,” a NSW Police statement read.

ASIC documents obtained on Thursday reveal Hewerdine jointly owns landscaping firm Top Tier Property Maintenance with ex-NRL player Adam Keighran, and his Ron Massey Cup playing brother Brad Keighran.

Current Wigan Warriors player Adam previously played first grade for the New Zealand Warriors and the Sydney Roosters, while older brother Brad currently plays for Mounties in the NSWRL competition.

Mitchell Hewerdine, 26.

Some of the drugs seized.

Neither brother is accused of any involvement whatsoever in the conduct alleged against Hewerdine.

Police will allege they found several dedicated encrypted criminal communication devices, an amount of cash, and white powder suspected to be cocaine in a vehicle parked at the Double Bay address.

A pistol wrapped in a glove, ammunition, tablets believed to be MDMA, OC spray, electronic devices and other items consistent with drug manufacturing were found in a subsequent raid at home in Peter Pan Ave, Wallacia.

Officers allegedly then found prohibited drugs, a hard drive and items consistent with drug manufacturing at a nearby Davenport Dr address.

Hewerdine was charged with large commercial drug supply, dealing with property proceeds of crime, knowingly directing a criminal group, indictable drug supply, and recklessly dealing with crime proceeds.

He was further charged with failing to comply with a digital evidence access order direction.

A pistol seized during the raid.

The ammunition seized in Wallacia.

Hewerdine was refused police bail to appear before the online bail court, where he declined through his solicitor Mary-Jane Fauonuku to apply for bail and he was remanded in custody.

Magistrate Greg Grogin ordered a brief to be compiled by NSW Police, and the matter will return to Waverley Local Court on September 11.

Two other men aged 21 and 25 were previously charged under Strike Force Torino and remain before the courts.

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