NT Mongrel Mob: Leonard Crabbe allegedly busted with commercial cannabis supply on Elcho Island

An outlaw motorcycle gang member fresh out of a Victorian prison claims he was just looking for a sea change when he was allegedly busted with a large amount of drugs.

An ageing outlaw bikie member claims he was just looking for a sea-change when he was busted with kilos of cannabis on route to a remote island off the Territory coast.

An ageing outlaw bikie member claims he was just looking for a sea-change when he was busted with kilos of cannabis en route to a remote island off the Territory’s coast, a court has heard.

Leonard Charles Crabbe appeared in Darwin Local Court on Wednesday charged with supplying a commercial supply of cannabis in Galiwinku, Elcho Island on July 24, 2024.

Judge Stephen Geary heard that the 73-year-old Mongrel Mob member was moving to work at an outstation when his truck was stopped by police.

“His vehicle was stopped on the way over to Elcho Island and it was found in the vehicle that there was a large quantity of cannabis,” his defence barrister Joshua Bach said.

Mr Bach said Mr Crabbe was merely acting as a “courier”, rather than an active participant in any outlaw motorcycle “syndicate” scheme.

“His truck was used, he has no other involvement,” Mr Bach said.

“There’s no allegation he’s involved in the distribution or supply.”

But Mr Geary said even acting as a ‘courier’ would place the 73-year-old in a “central role” in the exploitation of remote Territorians, allowing the illegal drugs to be sold “at exorbitant prices”.

“It’s incredibly selfish,” he said.

Mr Bach said his client had spent four months in the “very full” prison, and there were concerns about his heart condition deteriorating while in lock up.

“It is his belief that his time in custody is causing great detriment to his health, and he may die in custody if he continues to be there,” Mr Bach said.

He advocated for Mr Crabbe to be granted bail back to the island, saying: “He has nowhere else to go … it’s his retirement plan”.

But Mr Geary cheekily asked: “He’s a 73-year-old member of the Mongrel Mob. It has chapters all over the place, they look after each other don’t they?”

The judge also noted the outlaw motorcycle member’s noteworthy criminal history — only released from a Victorian prison earlier this year — stating: “He’s got some form”.

Mr Crabbe’s bail application was rejected, and he will remain on remand until his next hearing date on January 15.