Operation Ironside: Joshua Mark Richter refused release on bail, while his uncle Timothy Shane Barkla withdraws bid for bail

A man allegedly caught with 16 mobile phones, drugs and thousands of dollars in cash during Operation Ironside raids has been refused bail.

A man allegedly caught with drugs, cash and 16 mobile phones in his possession when police raided dozens of properties across Adelaide as part of Operation Ironside last week has been refused release on bail.

Joshua Mark Richter, 29, of Craigmore, appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Wednesday where he sought release on home detention bail.

During his first appearance in court last week, prosecutors told the court police had found Mr Richter in possession of 5g of cocaine, $69,000 in cash and 16 mobile phones – two of which were found in his vehicle – during the raids.

He was also identified as a user of the AN0M app, which prosecutors previously told the court was used only for the purpose of organised crime.

On Wednesday, a prosecutor said there was a “strong circumstantial case” linking Mr Richter to two ounces of cocaine he had allegedly instructed his uncle, Timothy Shane Barkla, 46, of Willaston to place behind a microwave.

He said Mr Richter had told his uncle he would leave $2000 for him for the drugs.

“The very next day when Mr Barkla’s house is raided by the police two ounces exactly of cocaine is located behind the microwave,” the prosecutor said.

He said the pair had also discussed a hydraulic press they allegedly used, which police allegedly found at the carport of Mr Barkla’s house.

Andrew Ey, for Richter, said his client was the sole income earner for his young family and integral to his electrical business, which had three employees that were likely to lose their jobs if he was remanded in custody.

“Without his support the family will struggle significantly,” Mr Ey said.

“The fact he has a lack of (criminal) history, a young family, sole breadwinner, full-time employment, mortgage to pay, significant family ties and guarantees, given all of those factors the presumption in favour of bail has not been displaced.”

Mr Richter is yet to enter pleas to charges of selling a controlled drug and money laundering, while Mr Barkla is yet to enter pleas to charges of trafficking in a controlled drug and manufacturing a controlled drug for sale.

Magistrate John Wells, who has presided over most of the cases linked to last week’s Operation Ironside arrests, refused Mr Richter release on bail.

“The basis for the refusal is the serious nature of the offending and the risk of interfering with the ongoing investigation.”

Both Mr Richter and Mr Barkla – who withdrew his bid for bail on Thursday – will return to court in July alongside most of the accused arrested as part of Operation Ironside across Adelaide.

During those hearings Mr Wells said he expected to learn how long prosecutors would require to gather enough evidence to form a preliminary brief and determine which charges should proceed against each defendant.

He asked prosecutors to prepare an overview of the operation ahead of that hearing.

Originally published as Operation Ironside: Joshua Mark Richter refused release on bail, while his uncle Timothy Shane Barkla withdraws bid for bail