Cranbourne carpenter Darren Kloess charged with trafficking meth and cocaine
A Cranbourne chippy who allegedly moved coke and meth was nabbed at his home with Viagra and $525,000 in cold hard cash.
South East
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A Cranbourne carpenter accused of slinging coke and meth was allegedly caught with more than half-a-million bucks stashed in a suitcase.
Darren Kloess, 35, fronted Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday charged with trafficking meth, cocaine and dealing with the proceeds of crime.
Kloess was arrested in his Ford Ranger parked outside a Cranbourne West address on August 27 last year.
Police searched Kloess’ vehicle and allegedly seized Viagra, meth, an iPad, a laptop and a mobile phone.
Investigators then raided Kloess’ Cranbourne home where they allegedly seized more meth, cocaine, more Viagra, ecstasy, ammunition, digital scales and empty deal bags.
Police also allegedly seized a whopping $525,300 cash stuffed in a suitcase in a walk-in robe of a bedroom.
Kloess made “full admissions” to possessing cocaine, meth and other drugs but denied he was a drug dealer.
Kloess, a self-employed carpenter, made “no comment” in relation to the sizeable cash haul but claimed the ammunition was part of the furniture he makes.
Kloess was remanded but was later bailed on September 17.
The court heard, during the bail application, Kloess was a “talented” and “hardworking” cabinet maker.
Kloess also worked establishing his own business at the time of the arrest, the court was told.
The police informant opposed a proposal for Kloess to reside at his partner’s Cranbourne West home.
The court heard police searched the partner’s home and found drugs on September 1
The partner also told police she was a drug user.
Kloess, who was also charged with drug and cartridge ammunition possession, will face court again on June 17.
