Tristen Lee Donno, Jack William Spicer, Cain Zilus Bird charged with drug, guns offences
Three Gold Coast men charged after police allegedly uncovered a stash of drugs and guns have returned to court, where new details of their alleged roles or involvement have been revealed.
Police & Courts
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Two of three Gold Coast men charged after police allegedly uncovered a stash of drugs and guns have been granted bail, with an accused cocaine trafficker to remain behind bars.
Tristen Lee Donno was denied bail in Southport Magistrates Court on Thursday, with his mother and supporters visibly emotional as the decision was handed down.
The 26-year-old faces more than 20 charges including trafficking dangerous drugs, supplying dangerous drugs, receiving or possessing property obtained from trafficking or supplying, and unlawfully possessing Category D/H/R and Category C/E weapons.
The court was told a handgun disguised as an iPhone and shortened firearms were among the weapons found under a couch in the spare bedroom of a Biggera Waters property.
Cain Zilus Bird and Jack William Spicer, both 20, were also arrested and charged following the raids. Only Mr Spicer was also charged with trafficking and supplying dangerous drugs.
The trio all applied for bail this week where it was heard Mr Donno allegedly exerted some influence or held a “supervisory” role, directing that contraband be moved from a Surfers Paradise property to the Biggera Waters house.
It was alleged Mr Donno’s involvement in the “commercial drug operation” was driven by financial interests.
Defence barrister Matthew Hynes, instructed by Hannay Lawyers, said Mr Donno struggled with drug use and proposed he be granted bail to live with relatives in the Blue Mountains area, removing himself from his current lifestyle and reducing any risk of further offending.
Mr Hynes said his client would also undertake rehabilitation as an outpatient.
The court was told Mr Spicer and Mr Bird were alleged to play much lesser roles, with the former referred to as a “mover” accused of transporting drugs between the two locations.
Mr Spicer was also allegedly involved in four street-level drug deals within three days, it was heard.
Mr Hynes said while Mr Bird was at the Biggera Waters home when it was searched by police, the drugs and guns allegedly arrived only hours earlier and there was nothing connecting him to them or Mr Donno and another alleged “bigger player”.
Magistrate Dzenita Balic refused Mr Donno’s bail, citing the strength of the case against him and the risk that he would not comply with the proposed strict bail conditions.
Ms Balic did grant bail for Mr Bird and Mr Spicer, who she said were far less involved in the alleged offending and had limited or no criminal history respectively.
Neither can have any contact with their co-accused as conditions of their bail.
Mr Bird – who was on parole at the time of his arrest – will need to make a further application before being released.
All three cases were adjourned to June 20.
A fourth co-accused, Lillian Grace Moyes, has been granted bail and is due to return to court on May 28.
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