Former Stilettos brothel owner Eddie Hayson granted bail on 21kg drug trafficking charges

The court heard police will allege Hayson was involved in a syndicate that transported 16kgs of meth and 5kgs of MDMA from Sydney to Perth.

Eddie Hayson. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Colourful former brothel owner and accused interstate drug dealer Eddie Hayson will walk out of a Sydney prison tonight on $600,000 bail.

Hayson is facing charges of supplying a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug and knowingly directing the activities of a criminal group amid allegations he was involved in a syndicate that transported 16kgs of methamphetamine and 5kgs of MDMA from Sydney to Perth in August 2023.

As part of his bail, he must live at an undisclosed address in Sydney, report to a local police station twice a day and wear an electronic ankle monitor.

Despite Hayson’s larger-than-life personal history, much of which has been lived in the limelight, including his one-time ownership of famous Sydney brothel Stilettos, significant amounts of information about this case are expected to remain a carefully guarded secret.

In the NSW Supreme Court on Thursday, lawyers for NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb successfully argued to have swathes of information about Hayson’s alleged crimes kept out of the public eye.

Applications by media outlets including The Daily Telegraph for access to the crown case statement, which details the full extent of the allegations against Hayson, were refused by Justice Hament Dhanji amid fears a key prosecution witness, who can only be known as ‘Witness A’ by court order, might be identifiable if the information was released.

Eddie Hayson arrives at Sydney domestic airport from the Gold Coast in February 2024 after being arrested for drug importation. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Part of the court proceedings were also held behind closed doors.

During the portions of the bail application that were open to the public, the court heard prosecutors will allege Hayson had a “significant involvement in a well-organised criminal enterprise” and at one stage was overheard discussing the importation of up to 500kgs of drugs into Australia.

It is alleged Hayson met one of his co-accused in November 2022 and provided him with approximately $80,000 throughout 2022 and 2023 to fund the syndicate’s alleged criminal endeavours.

Police allege he recruited Witness A to travel to Perth in August 2023 to deliver a suitcase, in exchange for a payment of $100,000.

Pictured is Eddie Haysonon 28 February, 2024. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Pictured is Eddie Haysonon 28 February, 2024. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Witness A alleged told police Hayson initially told him he would be flying across the country to attend a horse race, however, then allegedly informed him he would be taking a suitcase with him to deliver to someone in Perth.

The contents of the suitcase was never discussed, the court heard.

Hayson also allegedly told Witness A he would “potentially be flying millions of dollars in cash back to Sydney”, some of which would be used to buy a plane.

The court heard the suitcase in question was seized by WA police and found to contain 21kgs of drugs. The estimated street value of the haul was $5m.

Hayson’s lawyer, Ian Lloyd KC, argued in court on Thursday that the case against his client was weak.

Eddie Hayson media conference at the Premier's Room at the Intercontinental Hotel. Picture: Craig Greenhill

He claimed Hayson simply gave delivery instructions to Witness A and the crown would not be able to prove beyond reasonable doubt that Hayson knew the suitcase contained drugs, and wasn’t full of cash instead.

Justice Dhanji said it was clear “others” were engaged in the illegal enterprise and it seemed “reasonably likely” those people were responsible for the precise contents of the suitcase.

“Based on that limited material, I would ultimately accept that there is at least an arguable case for the applicant at trial,” he said.

Mr Lloyd said his client needed to be at liberty to receive urgent medical attention including ankle surgery, which had been due to undergo the day of his arrest in February 2024.

Hayson’s matter will return to court in May.