Alleged cannabis trafficker Richard Karl Kaye dumps lawyer, says he’s ‘not having a good time in prison’

A Queensland father accused of flying to Adelaide to traffic 10kg of cannabis has dumped his lawyer, telling a court he’s not having a good time in prison.

A Queensland dad who allegedly booked a 24-hour trip to Adelaide to traffic 10kg of cannabis “hasn’t had a great time in prison” and will stay in custody on remand until next year, a court has heard.

Richard Karl Kaye, 53, appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Thursday in front of Magistrate Justin Wickens via video link charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of drugs and driving while suspended.

Mr Kaye is yet to enter any pleas but, at an earlier appearance, told the court the allegations were currently contested.

Mr Kaye, who has now hired a new lawyer since his appearance in court last week, told Mr Wickens he had “a lot of support” in Queensland and wished to be released on home detention bail to return home.

Richard Kaye is a father of three from Queensland. Pictures: Facebook

It’s alleged Mr Kaye was arrested outside Adelaide Oval in possession of 10.5kg of cannabis. Pictures: Facebook

“I just wanted you to know Your Honour, I did actually try to tell you last week that I can’t go to that (Adelaide) address,” Mr Kaye told the court. “I’m finished with that life that led me to that place.

“I have had interstate bail before – I did the right thing, I came back when I was supposed to … I wonder if that’s a consideration considering I had it before and I did the right thing.

“I haven’t had a great time in prison – I’ve had a heart attack (and) it’s not the most pleasant of places.”

Police stopped the MG4 Excite hire car Mr Kaye was driving on War Memorial Drive, near Adelaide Oval and, after a search of the vehicle, allegedly found a tool chest containing 21 vacuum-sealed bags of cannabis, totalling 10.5kg.

Richard Kaye is charged with large commercial drug trafficking. Photo: SA police

Richard Kaye is charged with large commercial drug trafficking. Photo: SA police

The court previously heard Mr Kaye told police he was asked to collect the chest and deliver it to a person at the Adelaide Airport Bunnings.

He also said he wasn’t aware of what was inside the chest and wasn’t receiving any payment for the delivery, the court heard.

At his last appearance, prosecutor Chloe-Roxanne Kourakis told the court Mr Kaye arrived in Adelaide at 9.58pm on Monday, August 26, and “had a return trip booked for 9.36pm on Tuesday, August 27”. She further alleged he was in SA “solely for the purposes of transporting these drugs”.

On Wednesday, Mr Wickens adjourned the matter until January, but told Mr Kaye to withdraw his current bail application and said he could reapply “at any time”.

Originally published as Alleged cannabis trafficker Richard Karl Kaye dumps lawyer, says he’s ‘not having a good time in prison’