Gold Coast real estate agent Jonathan Luke Newlands charged with trafficking cocaine, MDMA
A Gold Coast real estate agent allegedly involved in trafficking cocaine and MDMA has been slapped with new charges, landing him back in court for the second time in a week. FULL DETAILS
Police & Courts
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A Gold Coast real estate agent accused of trafficking cocaine and MDMA has been hit with close to a dozen fresh charges.
Jonathan Luke Newlands appeared in the dock in Southport Magistrates Court for the second time in a week on Tuesday, following his arrest the day prior.
He faced 10 fresh charges including trafficking dangerous drugs, supplying dangerous drugs, receiving or possessing property obtained from trafficking or supplying, and possessing dangerous drugs.
It is now alleged Mr Newlands trafficked cocaine between November 11 last year and March 29 – an additional four months to what was initially alleged – and that he supplied drugs four times in March and April.
The 22-year-old was granted bail last Wednesday after being charged with trafficking and supplying drugs – including cocaine and MDMA – between April 1 and September 22 last year.
Court documents also alleged the 22-year-old was found with marijuana and a tick sheet among other items at his Surfers Paradise home earlier this month.
Mr Newlands was again supported in court by several people when he applied for bail this week.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Nick Wang said the real estate agent was now alleged to have been more involved in the trafficking ring than initially thought.
Defence solicitor Farshad Sarabi, of Hannay Lawyers, said his client had not reoffended since being released on bail last week and questioned why these latest charges had not been laid at the same time.
Mr Sarabi said there could be a “hypothesis of innocence” for parts of the evidence against Mr Newlands – who had no criminal history – and that most of his co-accused had been released on bail.
Magistrate Dzenita Balic granted Mr Newlands’ bail, saying the case against him had been “expanded” rather than any further offending and that he had strong family and work support.
Mr Newlands’ case is due to return to court on June 20.
EARLIER: Real estate agent charged with drug trafficking
A Gold Coast real estate agent from a family-owned company has been charged with trafficking cocaine and MDMA.
Jonathan Luke Newlands – of Professional Newlands Real Estate – allegedly trafficked the drugs at Surfers Paradise between April 1 and September 22 last year.
It is further alleged he supplied various drugs – including cocaine, MDMA, and methamphetamine – to himself or other people a combined 22 times within the same period.
Court documents also allege the 22-year-old was on Tuesday found with marijuana and a tick sheet among other items at his Surfers Paradise home.
Mr Newlands has since been charged with close to 30 offences including trafficking dangerous drugs, supplying dangerous drugs, possessing dangerous drugs, and receiving or possessing property obtained from trafficking.
He was remanded in custody before his appearance in Southport Magistrates Court on Wednesday, where he made an application for bail. Mr Newlands was supported by several people in the courtroom gallery.
Prosecutor Fiona Huang opposed the application, saying Mr Newlands posed an “extremely unacceptable” risk of committing further offences.
Defence solicitor Farshad Sarabi, of Hannay Lawyers, said his client was charged after a police investigation targeting another person and that the case against Mr Newlands could be either “very strong” or “extremely weak”.
Mr Sarabi said Mr Newlands had no criminal history and worked full-time for the real estate company owned by his father.
“These are dated charges and for whatever reason they’re now being placed upon him,” Mr Sarabi said.
“Of course there’ll be delays with these types of matters and a lot of negotiations will have to be borne out.”
Mr Newlands’ supporters were audibly relieved when Acting Magistrate Sarah Thompson said she would grant the Surfers Paradise man’s bail.
He must report to police once a week and possess only one mobile phone without certain encrypted applications as conditions of his bail.
His case was adjourned to June 20.
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