Matthew Burke granted bail after being charged over record NT drug bust

A Darwin father-to-be has been granted bail despite being charged in connection with one of the Territory’s biggest drug busts. Read why the court ordered his release.

Joint Organised Crime Task Force officers seized 3kg of cocaine valued at $1.5m buried in a drum on The Esplanade.

A Rural Area father-to-be arrested for his alleged involvement in one of the Territory’s biggest ever drug busts has been granted bail to look after his unwell mother and pregnant partner.

Matthew Burke faced the Darwin Supreme Court for the second time in a week to push for bail after being arrested in May when police allegedly found 5.5kg of cannabis and $100,000 in his home.

Police say those items were linked to a further $110,000 in cash and 3kg of cocaine which was allegedly buried in a waterproof container on the Esplanade.

He was charged with supplying a schedule one drug, supplying a commercial quantity of a schedule two drug and dealing with the proceeds of crime.

Burke was initially denied bail in the Darwin Local Court by judge Thomasin Opie on May 13 following concerns the investigation could be compromised by his release.

However, his lawyer Julie Franz redoubled her efforts in the Supreme Court on July 27 with Burke’s mother volunteering $40,000 of her super as surety.

Also on Thursday, Ms Franz revealed Burke’s mother-in-law was also prepared to provide $20,000 to support the bail efforts.

Matthew Burke was one of two men charged and arrested after being linked to the drug bust.

“Plea negotiations are under way and are progressing well but this matter will be a plea as indicated in the Local Court,” Ms Franz said.

“I’ve pointed to the health issues my client’s mother suffers, as well as his partner being in the early stages of pregnancy, which they will be needing practical and emotional support for.

“When he returns to this court he will be pleading guilty and then will be sentenced.

“He acknowledges there will be further prison time to serve but he will serve them as a sentenced prisoner not on remand, with the conditions on remand being harsh for prisoners.”

Prosecutor Ian Rowbottam said there was a “strong case” against Burke and that the issues currently present would remain present into the future.

“It’s a strong case, it’s an overwhelming case, but we do acknowledge readily the applicant is not a flight risk and has very strong ties to the NT,” Mr Rowbottam said.

“However, there is nothing really out of the ordinary in this man’s life that will not eventually be dealt with by way of incarceration, that is to say the same problems will be present in the future.

“I don’t know whether my learned friend intends to adjourn the plea for a year or nine months and then, of course, the situation becomes ‘well I’ve got a young child running around’.”

Justice John Reeves chose to grant bail until Burke’s next court date on August 14.