Racehorse owner Damion Flower gets trial date for drug importation charges

Damion Flower, 48, who once worked as a baggage handler, and two other men were arrested after a haul of cocaine was allegedly seized by police near Sydney airport in April 2019.

A Sydney racing figure who’s accused of smuggling cocaine into the country has had his trial date set down, a court has been told.

Damion Flower, a part-owner of champion racehorse Snitzel, was mentioned in Downing Centre District Court on Tuesday after being charged with multiple drug importation offences and dealing with the proceeds of crime.

Flower, 48, who once worked as a baggage handler, and two other men were arrested after a haul of cocaine was allegedly seized by police near Sydney airport in April 2019.

Damion Flower.

Lawyers for NSW Police told the court they wanted to file a written application against Flower regarding a legal matter and that they didn’t want his defence team inspecting related redacted material on the grounds of public interest immunity.

Public interest immunity is a legal principle where secret information is withheld in situations where the public interest in its release is outweighed by a competing public interest in keeping it confidential.

The court was told the matter would also involve evidence from an assistant commissioner.

Flower, who was arrested two years ago, wants to fight his drug importation charges.

Judge Dina Yehia, SC, said she wanted the issue to be resolved quickly and listed it for a hearing which Flower will attend via video link from custody on March 12 before his trial is due to start on March 22 when he will fight his drug importation charges.

“I do want this issue dealt with before the trial,” she said.

“I’ll list the matter for hearing (and) I’ll direct the following: That the NSW Commissioner of Police serve and file a notice of motion … and the accused serve and file submissions in reply.”

Court records state Flower’s trial date has been set down for March 22 with an estimated length of 30 days in front of a jury.

A court has directed that prosecutors and Flower’s defence team agree upon the facts in the case that are not disputed so an agreed statement can be handed to the jury members when the trial begins.