Clinton Andela named as co-accused of restaurateurs Steven Adams, Autumn Adams in Gold Coast coke bust

Another man charged in connection with the cocaine bust that has landed prominent Gold Coast restaurateurs Steven and Autumn Adams in court has been identified. Read new details here

Another man charged in connection with an alleged cocaine trafficking bust that has landed prominent Gold Coast restaurateurs Steven and Autumn Adams in court has been identified.

Clinton Andela faces charges including possessing dangerous drugs, possessing property obtained from trafficking or supplying, and possessing drug utensils.

The 61-year-old is expected to appear in Southport Magistrates Court next week.

He is one of the eight people charged after police searched multiple Gold Coast properties – including the Adams’ home and their Broadbeach restaurants Moo Moo and Blowfish – late last week.

Mr Adams, 50, has been charged with supplying and possessing cocaine and Mrs Adams, 45, is charged with possessing cocaine. Neither face trafficking charges and both have notices to appear in Southport Magistrates Court later this month.

Speaking on Thursday, Mr Adams said they were “distressed” at being caught up in the investigation, which was “not something (they) want to be involved or associated with”.

Mrs Adams added: “We have appointed lawyers (and) are taking it very seriously – we are absolutely shocked (but) we are not the subject of the investigation.”

Moo Moo The Wine Bar + Grill owners Steven Adams and Autumn Adams. Picture: Jerad Williams

Cocaine, cash, and a BMW X5 were among items allegedly seized in raids on Gold Coast properties as part of what police have called Operation Victor Mosquito.

Mathew Ian Lalic, 35, Kirsty Wallbanks, 30, and Anthony James Hood, 60, now all face charges including trafficking, supplying and possessing cocaine.

It is alleged Mr Lalic trafficked the drug between October 4 last year and August 1, with his two co-accused involved for shorter periods within that time.

Mr Lalic allegedly supplied cocaine 13 times between May 19 and July 31, including eight times to Ms Adams and once each to Mr Adams and Mr Andela, according to court documents. Mr Hood is charged with seven supplies and Ms Wallbanks with two.

Mr Hood is also charged with possessing phentermine – an appetite suppressant – and cash suspected of being proceeds of an offence.

Jesse William Ward-Howard, 33, is charged with four counts of supplying cocaine and two of receiving or possessing property obtained from trafficking or supplying.

Mr Ward-Howard was the only one of those who have already faced court to be remanded in custody. The rest were granted bail with conditions.

Mr Hood’s case was adjourned to August 27 and the others’ to September 24.

Police said an eighth person has a notice to appear on charges of supplying and possessing dangerous drugs later this month.