Man charged with firearm, drug offences as police allegedly find loaded gun in bust at Paradise
A man with a history of making drugs is back in court after a drug raid at his home allegedly turned up a chilling discovery.
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A “dangerous man” with a history of manufacturing meth and possessing firearms illegally has been refused bail after police allegedly uncovered a drug lab in his Paradise home.
Magistrate Luke Davis disagreed with submissions on behalf of Zenon Barry Joannou, 45, that any danger to the community would be moderated if he was released on home detention bail.
“I’ll just be frank, not even close,” Mr Davis said.
“You are a dangerous man, you have many priors for carrying an offensive weapon, you have been sentenced in the District Court, I note it’s in 2012, but that was for manufacture a controlled drug for sale and firearms offences.”
Mr Davis said he “took with a grain of salt” submissions from Omar Ali, for Mr Joannou, that his client would be caring for his sick mother and son while on bail.
The court heard Mr Joannou received prior convictions for manufacturing controlled drugs and firearm offences and served four years in jail.
The Paradise man was arrested on Wednesday after police allegedly discovered a clandestine drug lab and a loaded weapon after a search of his northeastern suburbs home about 1pm on Tuesday.
Mr Joannou is charged with one aggravated count of possessing a firearm without a licence, trafficking in and manufacturing a controlled drug, and possessing the equipment to do so.
In court on Wednesday, prosecutors alleged police located the drug lab in the shed outside the Paradise home and about 100g meth.
Police say officers from the Serious and Organised Crime branch were assisting with the investigation and would remain at the scene throughout Wednesday and possibly Thursday.
Mr Davis refused bail, and remanded Mr Joannou in custody to face court again in June next year.
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