Grand Theft Auto an extension of Cody Ward’s life, court hears

A true-crime video game where players deal drugs became an “extension” of a bullied recluse’s real world, a court has heard.

A true-crime video game where a player is able to deal drugs became an “extension” of a bullied recluse’s real world, a court has heard.

Cody Ronald Ward, 26, or ‘NSWGreat’ as he was known in the internet underworld, pleaded guilty at an earlier appearance to six serious drug charges including importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug.

Cody Ward has pleaded guilty to drug charges. Picture: Instagram

The anxious South Coast boy went undetected by police for three years until January 2019, gaining a title from peers as the “most successful and longest-running” illicit drug vendor on the dark web operating out of Australia, according to police facts.

Ward’s barrister Kieran Ginges told the District Court sentence hearing on Friday his client, who appeared via video link from Silverwater Jail, became “desensitised” by a modified version of Grand Theft Auto called Los Santos.

“He found a virtual world away from the real world … you go around selling drugs … you desensitise somebody,” Mr Ginges said.

“It was, in a sense, an extension of a computer game. This did not involve bikie gangs … illegal weapons … corruption … criminal syndicates.

“This was one man who played Grand Theft Auto, having sought refuge from being abused in the schoolyard.”

Cody Ward played a modified version of Grand Theft Auto. Picture: Instagram

Mr Ginges said his client had stopped taking drugs — even refusing them behind bars — because he wanted to become a “man of honour” and treat his mental health issues.

A letter Ward wrote to the judge read out in court said he became “obsessed” with the digital crime lifestyle and was “chronically starved of social bonds”.

DPP solicitor Mark Rollestone argued the offences were sophisticated and caused “significant harm” to the community.

He said the imported drugs were at least double the amount deemed a commercial quantity by police.

But Judge Robyn Tupman reasoned there were much higher level operations including where drugs are impregnated in books and hidden in machinery.

“This was ordered by the dark web and arrived by post. It’s quite breathtaking it was never noticed,” Ms Tupman said.

Patricia and Shanese Koullias. Picture: Facebook

Ms Tupman reserved her decision until April 23.

Agreed facts show Ward used multiple names and post office boxes across the Illawarra and Shoalhaven to receive large amounts of drugs including MDMA, LSD and amphetamine.

He bought a house in Callala Bay and three cars, including a $70,000 Mercedes, the court heard.

Co-accused and sisters Shanese, 24, and Patricia Koullias, 20, were jailed earlier this month for selling drugs that Ward imported.

Shanese was jailed for eight years with a non-parole period of five years and Patricia received three years with a non-parole period of 22 months.