Government staffer offers to pay bail surety for ex-Don Dale guard brother in cannabis sting

A FORMER Don Dale guard who allegedly sold cannabis for an accused Darwin kingpin while on sick leave has been denied bail despite his sister – Department of Chief Minister staffer – offering a $5000 security for his release.

A former Don Dale guard who sold cannabis for an accused Darwin kingpin while on sick leave has been denied bail. Picture: Michael Franchi

A FORMER Don Dale guard who allegedly sold cannabis for an accused Darwin kingpin while on sick leave has been denied bail despite his sister – a Department of Chief Minister staffer – offering a $5000 security for his release.

Joel James Appo, 32, faced the Darwin Local Court on a string of drug charges, with his lawyer, Shane McMaster, applying for bail on his behalf.

Prosecutor Naomi Loudon told the court Appo was accused of house-sitting for the alleged boss of a drug syndicate while he was away in Bali and “tak(ing) over the operation” – selling cannabis to “hundreds of people” including undercover police officers.

Ms Loudon said the Bali trips were “to launder money” alleged kingpin, Peter Shayne Smith, had earned selling drugs in Darwin by investing it in restaurants and nightclubs.

“It’s an extensive network and essentially Mr Appo has stepped into the feet of Mr Smith while he’s away and he has carried on that supply network,” she said.

“He is a youth justice worker and he did work in the Don Dale detention centre, he was off work during this period on sick leave and it’s while he’s been on sick leave that he’s engaged in this offending conduct with Smith.”

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Ms Loudon said when police raided the unit they found 4.5lb of cannabis, 10 mobile phones, $16,000 in cash and “financial records”.

In opposing bail, Ms Loudon said Smith was “at the top” of the syndicate, which included Appo as well as other suppliers who sent him shipments of up to 72lb of cannabis.

Mr McMaster said Appo had been a long-term customer of Smith’s and felt “an obligation” to his dealer after he “helped him out” and lent him money.

“He accepts, your honour, that he was at that place assisting Mr Smith with Mr Smith’s operation but it wasn’t his operation, he’s not the co-ordinator, he’s really someone who, feels at least, that he’s under a moral obligation and he’s stepped in,” he said.

“He’s someone who’s smoked cannabis for a long time himself, it’s completely normalised behaviour for him, he’s not getting anything out of it really other than a reduction in the cannabis (bill) that he’s getting from Mr Smith.”

Mr McMaster said Appo’s sister, Jade Ritchie, was prepared to put up a $5000 security for his release on bail.

“She works in the (Department) of the Chief Minister, a very responsible position, obviously she’s someone who’s held in very high regard in her employment,” he said.

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Mr McMaster said the court should also consider Appo’s need for protection while in custody, given his lengthy employment at Don Dale.

“Your honour can take it as read that a number of people that he would have supervised will be out there now and you might also take it as read that there may well be some payback or some thoughts along those lines,” he said.

“He has and his family, quite rightly, have very serious concerns with regard to his physical safety.”

In denying Appo bail, judge Michael Carey said he was “playing a significant role” in the operation and hadn’t overcome the presumption against releasing him on bail.

“He voluntarily involved himself in this operation and during the surveillance period, which was fairly limited, he on two occasions, delivered what’s said to be 2lb on each occasion,” he said.

“He’s sat in the place of the other man to keep the business running when the other man was holidaying in Bali, he played, in my view, a significant role in this.”

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Appo did not enter a plea and will return to court on May 13.