Scott Biber, Michael Birch, Philip Emanuele plead guilty to supplying prohibited drug

A trio of men who came unstuck after police found 1kg of cocaine stashed in a fire extinguisher will proceed to District Court after several charges were dropped against each of the accused.

A trio accused of dealing drugs around Broken Head have seen multiple charges dropped against them as two out of three proceed to the District Court.

Suffolk Park man Scott Edward Biber, a firefighter, was allegedly found with 1.1kg of cocaine concealed in a fire extinguisher in his possession on January 9, 2021.

Co-accused Michael Robert Birch and Philip David Emanuele were arrested as a result of related investigations into drug supply around Byron.

The three men appeared in Tweed Heads Local Court on May 13 for committal.

Broken Head man Birch, 69, pleaded guilty to recklessly dealing with the proceeds of crime and taking part in supplying a prohibited drug. Thirteen counts of supplying a prohibited drug will remain as back up charges.

Two counts of possessing a prohibited drug, possessing an unauthorised prohibited firearm were admitted and will be considered on sentence.

Charges of recklessly dealing with the proceeds of crime, knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime and supplying prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis were withdrawn.

Skennars Head man Emanuele, 52, pleaded guilty to taking part in supplying a prohibited drug and admitted to two counts of possessing a prohibited drug which will be considered on sentence.

Philip David Emanuele.

Five counts of taking part in supplying a prohibited drug, one count of possessing or attempting to possess a prescribed restricted substance and one count of dealing with proceeds of crime were withdrawn.

Now living in Umina Beach on the Central Coast, Biber, 59, pleaded guilty to supplying a prohibited drug, greater than the large commercial quantity.

Five counts of taking part in supplying a prohibited drug, nine counts of supplying a prohibited drug, one count of supply a prohibited drug on an ongoing basis and one count of possessing a prohibited drug were withdrawn.

Birch will reappear in Tweed Heads Local Court on June 17 where the charge of recklessly dealing with proceeds of crime is expected to be finalised before he proceeds to the District court.

Biber and Emanuele had their matters adjourned to the Lismore District Court for arraignment on June 6.

All three remain on bail.

Originally published as Scott Biber, Michael Birch, Philip Emanuele plead guilty to supplying prohibited drug