David Robert Allen, 31, pleads guilty to supplying a commercial quantity of cocaine across the Hunter and Central Coast
He sometimes used a McDonalds burger box or Uber Eats delivery bag to camouflage its contents. Little did he know, but as prolific cocaine seller David Robert Allen drove across the Hunter doing deals, the cops were taking notes.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
First was the cutting up of the brick of cocaine – carefully shave it down to powder form, use the necessary cutting agents to make it one part coke to three parts something else to increase yield, then press it into tight discs weighing 70.87 grams each, or two-and-a-half ounces in the preferred measuring scales for those working nefariously.
Only then would David Robert Allen and his product be ready for sale, though he would still use a few other props as he drove across parts of the Hunter and Central Coast to drop off his well-prepared merchandise.
Like the first time that Strike Force Clissold investigators noted him travelling to the outer Maitland suburb of Gillieston Heights on October 19, 2023, with a disc of cocaine hidden in a McDonalds burger box.
Or later on the same day, when Allen popped over to the Newcastle suburb of Georgetown – Wahroonga Rd to be precise – where he had some gear in an Uber Eats takeaway bag to hand over.
In fact, there were at least 16 occasions where investigators noted Allen had driven and dealt cocaine to people between July and October in 2023.
All up, Allen has admitted to supplying 680 grams of cocaine over a 101-day period – or 24 ounces in the old scale.
The 31-year-old entered guilty pleas in Newcastle District Court on Thursday to one count each of supplying a commercial quantity of cocaine and knowingly deal in the proceeds of crime.
The proceeds of crime charge relates to $15,250 and includes the $6250 in cash found during a raid on his house and two deals – one worth $5000 and another worth $4000 – that he was seen to do during the investigation.
The guilty pleas came before prosecutors dropped 13 other drug supply and associated charges and dismissed one other charge of wilful or obscene exposure.
Agreed facts tendered to court stated Strike Force Clissold was set up to investigate Allen and quickly set about following his dealing ways by listening in on his conversations and watching his activities.
A camera was installed inside Allen’s car and recorded video and audio.
“This device captured the offender, over the course of months, regularly supplying cocaine to buyers throughout the Hunter Valley and Central Coast,” the facts said.
“The offender was captured ingesting cocaine regularly, including when he was operating the vehicle on public roads.”
According to the agreed facts, the first time police monitored Allen dealing was with two bags of cocaine on Grandview Pde at Elermore Vale on July 20, 2023.
He would go back to Elermore Vale three more times, the last time when he dropped off a disc on September 10.
Also in July were trips to The Junction, back to Elermore Vale and Wyongah on the Central Coast,
In August, Allen twice headed to Cameron Park and was seen popping over to Hamilton South.
During September, there were single deals at Elermore Vale, Belmont, Raworth and Georgetown.
And then in October, Allen visited Elermore Vale, did the Maccas run at Gillieston Heights, the Uber Eats delivery at Georgetown and single trips to Cameron Park and Floraville.
Police raided Allen’s home three days before Christmas in 2023 and charged him with the drug offences.
He remains in custody on remand and will be sentenced on September 4.
Originally published as David Robert Allen, 31, pleads guilty to supplying a commercial quantity of cocaine across the Hunter and Central Coast
Ex-boss given files after leaving infrastructure unit, ICAC told
A senior human resources adviser described colleagues who had raised complaints about the Education Department’s infrastructure unit as “problem children”, an Independent Commission Against Corruption hearing has heard.
Blood stains link in Ballina murder trial
Multiple blood stains found on a variety of items in a laneway behind an op-shop where 64-year-old Lindy Lucena was found dead have been linked to her accused killer, a trial has heard.