Alleged Sunshine Coast drug trafficking trio faces court

An extensive police investigation into drug trafficking on the Sunshine Coast has been revealed in court as one of the alleged main players makes a bid for his freedom.

A Beerwah fisherman allegedly part of a Sunshine Coast drug trafficking ring has made a push for his freedom after allegedly negotiating prices with suppliers while on bail.

Dennis Michael Barrett was allegedly found with 4.5kg of marijuana on September 15 and granted bail when it’s alleged he was also found with $3500 in cash, the court heard.

On Friday, December 17, Maroochydore Magistrates Court was told the 52-year-old Beerwah man was allegedly a “runner” for a drug trafficking syndicate.

Police prosecutor James Allen tendered intercepted messages between Barrett and 24-year-old Buderim man Zach-Matthew Sam Steadman during the 52-year-old’s bail application.

Dennis Michael Barret was allegedly found with 4.5kg of marijuana. Pictured: Generic file photo

Mr Allen also submitted conversations between Steadman and 28-year-old Buderim man Ryan Dennehy Elliott.

Both Steadman and Elliott are charged with drug trafficking and were both yet to enter pleas.

Mr Allen told the court it’s alleged the group had messaged every few days about supplying and collecting drugs or money.

The court heard Barrett’s involvement in drug trafficking had slowed but still continued following his initial arrest.

Police allege Barrett negotiated prices to obtain drugs with suppliers as late as December 13, 2021.

The conversations about the operations were semi-coded according to Mr Allen, where there were references to “one and twos” being pounds of marijuana.

“Elliott and Barrett roles were primarily introducing suppliers to Steadman and collecting from the suppliers,” he said.

“They passed those drugs onto Mr Steadman who has a customer base and would go and engage with customers.”

The court heard the investigation continued on Friday with search warrants executed in relation to Mr Steadman’s customers on December 17.

Mr Allen said 50kg of marijuana was allegedly found in Bundaberg and told the court the arrests made verified the information police collected on their wire taps.

Zach-Matthew Sam Steadman did not apply for bail in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on December 17 on charges of drug trafficking, possession, supply, possessing property obtained from drug trafficking and anything used in the commission of a crime. Picture: Facebook

He then amended the trafficking charges for Barrett from March 14 to December 16, 2021.

Mr Allen said Barrett was involved in the syndicate where he would deal with suppliers, even on bail, while Steadman and Elliott had other roles.

Defence lawyer Carl Tessmann argued the 52-year-old fisherman was anxious to be released on bail to continue his trawling business where he managed two employees.

Mr Tessmann said the money found by police had been earnt by Barrett and his wife from their seafood business.

Following Friday’s adjournment Magistrate Richard Lehmann refused Barrett’s bail application on Monday, December 20.

Barrett’s matter was then adjourned to 2022 when he will face charges of trafficking, possessing anything obtained from trafficking, and possess anything used in the commission of a crime.

Steadman and Elliott did not apply for bail and had their matters adjourned to February 4, 2022.

Steadman faces charges of possessing, supplying, and trafficking drugs as well as possessing property obtained from trafficking and anything used in the commission of a crime.

Elliott faces two counts of possessing property obtained from trafficking, supplying and trafficking drugs, along with possessing anything used in the commission of a crime.

Originally published as Alleged Sunshine Coast drug trafficking trio faces court