Aaron Heffernan and Callum Savio front Shepparton Magistrates’ Court accused of running large-scale criminal syndicate
A Shepparton duo accused of running an organised crime syndicate between Melbourne and Shepparton met at a local drug rehabilitation centre, a court has heard.
Goulburn Valley
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A Shepparton duo accused of running an organised crime syndicate between Melbourne and Shepparton met at a drug rehabilitation centre, a court has heard.
Aaron Heffernan, 34 and Callum Savio, 33, fronted the Shepparton Magistrates’ Court on May 14.
Both Mr Heffernan and Mr Savio, along with co-accused Ross Anderson, are alleged to have “actively been running an organised criminal syndicate” between the state’s capital and the regional hub, according to Senior Constable Alisha Buchanan.
Police allege the syndicate actively targeted newly constructed residential properties to steal from, while also alleging that they trafficked a large-scale amount of drugs into the Shepparton community.
During raids at properties in Shepparton and Werribee in January, police allegedly found 80g of methylamphetamine, 3L of GHB, $48,000, an assortment of power tools valued in excess of $100,000, trailers, motorbikes, home appliances and building supplies.
Mr Heffernan’s hearing was a bail application, while Mr Savio appeared briefly with no application for bail.
They have both been in custody since their arrest in January.
Mr Heffernan’s defence argued that Mr Heffernan should be granted bail as he could secure a spot at Shepparton Cottage, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre.
They also argued that he would be able to return to work as a full-time forklift operator should he be granted bail, and would therefore be able to help his family pay off their mortgage, as they are at risk of defaulting due to his time on remand.
Ms Buchanan, who strongly opposed bail, raised concerns about Mr Heffernan’s ability to comply with bail.
Ms Buchanan also told the court that Mr Heffernan met Mr Savio at the Cottage Rehab facility, “showing that this is not an appropriate location for the accused to attend”.
Ms Buchanan also noted Mr Heffernan had two previous attempts at the rehab centre.
Mr Zebrowski ultimately refused Mr Heffernan’s application for bail.
“This is not low-level offending in order to support a drug habit,’’ Mr Zebrowski said.
Mr Zebrowski also raised concerns about Mr Heffernan’s previous attempts at the rehabilitation centre.
“Third go at the cottage … Two previous attempts at the cottage don’t seem to have had any long term effect on his behaviour”, he said.
Mr Zebrowski also noted the large amount of meth that was allegedly found at Mr Heffernan’s address.
“Furthermore, police executed a search warrant at the applicant’s address where 69 grams of meth were found”, he said.
Mr Heffernan and Mr Savio will face a committal on August 29.
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