Lacey accused by CCC of using Commodore to store drugs in basement of Surfers hotel

Investigators claim Holden Commodore in basement of Surfers hotel was used as drug safe

Ken Lacey

A STOLEN Holden Commodore stored in the basement of a Surfers hotel was being used by colourful Coast identity Ken Lacey as a drug safe, according to the Crime and Corruption Commission.

The heavily tattooed father of jailed gangsters Jade and Dionne Lacey was charged at the weekend as part of the same cocaine trafficking investigation that snared Gold Coast Titans players and star code-hopper Karmichael Hunt.

Lacey, 58, faced Southport Magistrates Court on Saturday on charges including supplying and possessing dangerous drugs.

Court documents allege a Commodore, which was reported stolen in August 2013, had been parked in the basement of the Wyndham Surfers Paradise Resort, where Lacey lives, since at least February this year and was put under surveillance by the CCC.

The CCC alleges that Lacey and his associates were seen near the vehicle and accessing it while it was under surveillance.

A covert raid on the vehicle on April 12 allegedly led to the discovery of electronic scales, clipsal bags and a black travel bag inside which was a bodybuilding supplement container filled with white powder.

While the powder has yet to be scientifically tested, CCC investigators suspect it is an amphetamine-based drug.

The court documents allege that on April 8, there was telephone contact between Lacey and “suspected drug customer’’ Nathan Miller and a meeting was arranged for the following day.

Lacey’s girlfriend, 36-year-old Arianne Stringer, was allegedly seen retrieving the black bag from the Commodore before Miller arrived at the Wyndham.

He was intercepted by police about two hours later and the CCC claims he had 50g of white powder hidden in a pillow.

It is also alleged that Lacey supplied another man with drugs.

He was among seven people Lacey is banned from contacting under his bail conditions.

Others include alleged cocaine cartel kingpin John Touma and fellow former NRL player Matt Seers, whose alleged syndicate is accused of supplying the party drug to Hunt and Titans players for events including Mad Monday celebrations and Greg Bird’s buck’s party.

The Gold Coast Bulletin visited Lacey’s home yesterday but he did not answer calls to his unit.

The charges against Lacey will be mentioned again on June 25.

Stringer, who Lacey has been seeing after splitting with wife Madeleine, was also charged with a string of drug offences and is due to face court on May 11.