Restaurateurs Steve and Autumn Adams in Southport Magistrates Court on cocaine charges

New details have been revealed about how high-profile Gold Coast restaurateurs Steve and Autumn Adams were charged with possession in connection with a major alleged drug trafficking operation. SEE THE VIDEO

High-profile Gold Coast and Brisbane restaurateurs Steve and Autumn Adams face a combined 13 cocaine charges in connection with a major Gold Coast drug trafficking operation, according to court records.

A court has been told the pair were charged after an electronic recording device was placed at the home of a separate target of the investigation.

Mrs Adams faces nine charges of possessing cocaine and Mr Adams is charged with two counts each of supplying and possessing cocaine.

Prominent restaurateurs Steve Adams ( following behind ) and Autumn Adams appeared at Southport court today for the first time since being charged with cocaine-related offences. They arrived at court alongside lawyer Ron Behlau (left). Picture Glenn Hampson

No pleas have been entered by the high-profile pair who own Moo Moo steak restaurants in Broadbeach and Brisbane, plus swanky new Broadbeach venue BlowFish.

Police allege Mrs Adams possessed the drug nine times from June 8 to July 30, with her husband’s charges all dated June 26 or July 24.

The pair were smartly dressed when they fronted Southport Magistrates Court for the first time since charges were laid earlier this month.

The couple appeared beside defence solicitor Ron Behlau, of Behlau Murakami Grant, when their cases were briefly mentioned on Thursday.

Mr Behlau said his clients’ charges arose from a large drug trafficking operation – of which they were not the targets – during which an electronic surveillance device was obtained from the home of a person who was a focus of the investigation.

He told the court he would require copies of the material to take further instructions.

Mr and Mrs Adams’ cases were both adjourned to August 20. They remain on bail.

Prominent restaurateur Steve Adams appeared at Southport court today for the first time since being charged with cocaine-related offences. Picture Glenn Hampson

Neither they nor Mr Behlau would comment on the case outside the courthouse.

The popular restaurateurs said last week that they were shocked by the charges, with Mr Adams saying they were both “very distressed to be caught up in something like this”.

“It’s not something we want to be involved or associated with,” he said.

“The subject of the investigation was not us or our businesses, and anyone who knows us knows that isn’t us.”

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

Neither Mr or Mrs Adams face trafficking charges.

They were two of eight people charged in relation to the alleged drug trafficking operation, with police carrying out search warrants at the Adams’ home and their Broadbeach restaurants along with other properties across Broadbeach, Burleigh and Surfers Paradise.

Officers allegedly seized large quantities of cocaine and cash and a BMW X5 among other items.

Mathew Ian Lalic, 35, Kirsty Wallbanks, 30, and Anthony James Hood, 60, 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 another co-accused, Clinton Andela.

Mr Hood is charged with seven supplies and Ms Wallbanks with two.

Mr Andela is due to appear in Southport Magistrates Court on Friday on charges including possessing dangerous drugs, possessing property obtained from trafficking or supplying, and possessing drug utensils.

The cases of the remaining co-accused are expected to return to court later this month or in September.