Case of alleged Colombian cartel ‘chemist’ linked to cocaine factory mentioned in Kingaroy court
The case of a Colombian national dubbed by police as The Chemist of an alleged rural Queensland “cocaine factory’’ has again been mentioned in court.
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The case of a Colombian national connected to an alleged drug syndicate, which police say built an alleged custom-made “cocaine factory” in a small South Burnett town, has again been mentioned in court.
Australian Federal Police officers began investigating the syndicate in May this year when Fabio Alberto Fernandez Pulgarin, who police will allege is the operation’s mysterious “chemist”, flew into Sydney.
The group was allegedly using a property in the small town of Durong, west of Kingaroy, to extract cocaine from another substance that would render 700kg in pure cocaine.
Mr Fernandez Pulgarin, 48, and his co-accused Alexander Villegas Jaramillo, 38, were arrested in the South Burnett on Friday.
They were charged with one count each of conspiracy to manufacture commercial quantities of controlled drugs.
Lawyer Christabelle Stafford-Smith, who appeared on behalf of Mr Fernandez Pulgarin, requested the matter be transferred to Brisbane when her client next appears, with the matter to be resolved in the Supreme Court.
He was remanded in custody and is due to appear in Kingaroy Magistrates Court on October 17.
The Colombian nationals were two of the nine people arrested, all of whom are alleged to be members of what police described as a “relentless” Australian arm of a cocaine cartel accused of selling to bikie gangs for distribution.
Six Queenslanders were arrested on Commonwealth charges in relation to the bust after 10 warrants were executed across Durong, the Gold Coast, Brisbane, and interstate.
“The global syndicate identified in this operation was ruthless and well-resourced, building a custom-made laboratory to extract and produce cocaine for distribution to multiple organised crime groups in Australia,” AFP Assistant Commissioner Eastern Command Kirsty Schofield said.
“This investigation has stopped a production line of cocaine from hitting Australian streets, and prevented millions of dollars of drug profit flowing back into the syndicate to fund their next criminal venture.”
Investigations are continuing into the exact circumstances of how and when the cocaine was imported into Australia.
NINE PEOPLE CHARGED
Among those arrested was a Brisbane car dealership sales manager who is accused of building a shed in regional Queensland and sourcing equipment for the extraction of 700kg of pure cocaine.
Douglas Hercules Ivan Sinnamon is facing one count of conspiracy to manufacture a commercial quantity of cocaine.
Commonwealth prosecutor Mathew Thompson alleged the 31-year-old’s role was arranging the construction of the shed where the coke was to be extracted.
He was allegedly recorded discussing that the shed looked suspicious and suggesting farm animals be brought onto the property.
Mr Sinnamon was granted bail on strict conditions, including he report to police seven days a week, and surrender his passport.
A Gold Coast court where another one of the accused Queenslanders appeared heard the cocaine had an estimated street value of between $137 million and $175 million.
Police will allege builder Gregory Murphy, 35, had a “controlling role” in the operation and that he allegedly drove two Colombian nationals, including the chemist, and chemicals and fuel to the “cocaine factory” in Durong.
Mr Murphy was charged with conspiracy to manufacture a commercial quantity of controlled drugs, and spent the weekend behind bars awaiting a $400,000 bail surety to be posted by his parents, and the surrender of his passport.
The 35-year-old has ties to former Gold Coast bodybuilder, lifeguard and Olympic swimming hopeful Rhys Ferszt, who the AFP allege was the Australian kingpin behind the operation.
Mr Fezst, 33, was arrested in dramatic scenes on Thursday night after leaving the gym.
He is alleged to have used the help of “the chemist” who allegedly flew down under to teach his method of cocaine production to an Australian syndicate.
Mr Fezst was refused bail after he appeared in the Darwin Local Court on Monday, charged with conspiracy to manufacture a commercial quantity of controlled drugs.
Truck driver Tuna Samuelu, 37, charged with drug trafficking, was also granted bail.
Police will allege he attended the shed in Durong with Mr Sinnamon where they put 11kg of cocaine into a car that was later intercepted in NSW with the drugs in the boot.
Several others have been charged with money laundering, drug trafficking charges and assisting with building a facility to produce drugs.
The Durong lab is in the process of being pulled apart, which is expected to take about four days.
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