La Porchetta chef Anthony Natale allegedly involved in MDMA, meth and money-laundering racket
A La Porchetta chef is back on the street after posting a $1 million surety despite organised crime police fearing the accused trafficker — allegedly part of a large-scale drug syndicate — will fly to Italy where he has a “family connection”.
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A La Porchetta chef is back on the street despite being allegedly implicated in a large-scale and organised meth, MDMA and money-laundering racket.
Anthony Natale, 27, was granted bail in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Thursday after he was charged with offences including trafficking a large commercial quantity of drugs.
Natale was nabbed after cash and drugs were allegedly seized at his home on July 26 this year.
The court heard the chef at La Porchetta’s Highpoint restaurant had been under covert surveillance since August 2018.
It was submitted investigators believed Natale was “more than just a soldier” in the criminal syndicate.
Natale and others in the alleged syndicate had been tracked by police from across Australia — including organised crime detectives from the Victoria Police Purana Taskforce.
Natale was allegedly seen transporting bags believed to contain $1.9 million to a Keysborough address in late-2018.
Police also alleged Natale handed over almost $200,000 during an exchange at the Maribyrnong Bunnings carpark in October 2018.
He also allegedly handed over $385,000 at Braybrook’s Central West shopping centre in March 2019.
The court heard Natale was believed to be closely involved with a Fraser Rise address where police allegedly found 170kg of MDMA, 24kg of ice and a heap of drug manufacturing equipment in March 2019.
Natale allegedly regularly visited the property and had more than 64 calls with the resident in the two months leading up to the raid, the court was told.
Natale was also allegedly part of a drug deal at a restaurant in January 2019 where 5kg of MDMA was given to a dealer planning to distribute in WA.
Natale’s lawyer argued his client has no criminal history and pointed out his alleged co-offenders had been granted bail.
The court heard the matter would go to trial, which would probably take two years, meanwhile conditions in custody were harsh due to COVID-19.
Natale’s lawyer said his client had strong family support including an uncle who was prepared to put up several properties as a surety.
Natale’s lawyer said a $1 million surety was on the table.
The prosecution opposed bail citing Natale was a “flight risk”.
The court was told Natale has a “family connection” in Italy and “may well flee”.
Magistrate Peter Reardon said the major drug operation was for “profit”.
“(Those involved) would benefit substantially if they were to succeed,” Magistrate Reardon said.
Magistrate Reardon granted Natale bail with strict conditions that he must attend a residential drug program in St Kilda, not communicate with his co-accused, surrender any passport he held and the $1 million surety be handed over.
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