NSW man accused of smuggling drugs into Hobart now in custody after being extradited

A New South Wales jewellery maker is in custody in Tasmania after being extradited over allegations he ran a major drug trafficking operation into the state. SEE THE PICTURES >>

A NEW South Wales man who allegedly ran a major drug syndicate that smuggled millions of dollars worth of ice, cocaine and heroin into Tasmania, has now been extradited to Hobart and is in custody.

Jewellery maker Jean Michel Christophe Wimmer, 37, intended to apply for bail in the Hobart Magistrates Court on Tuesday – but was unable to due to a technology failure.

Four luxury vehicles and a motorcycle valued over $2m were seized by police. Picture: Tasmania and NSW Police.

Magistrate Jackie Hartnett said Mr Wimmer was in a part of the prison that didn’t allow or have access to a court video link, which she said was “most unacceptable”.

The court heard Mr Wimmer’s case involved 24 witnesses.

He has not yet entered a plea to a singular charge of trafficking in a controlled substance.

Ms Hartnett remanded him in custody, directing that he be brought in person to court on May 5.

In March, Tasmania Police said Mr Wimmer was arrested in Parramatta and charged with trafficking “significant” amounts of the drugs into Tasmania over a two-year period from May 2019.

NSW Police said the drug ring had been worth nearly $5 million, which they alleged Mr Wimmer ran from his western Sydney home.

As part of the investigation, police seized three Ferraris, a Lamborghini and a gold-plated Harley-Davidson, as well as cash.

The investigation, which ran since August last year with more than 25 investigators across both states, was led by Tasmania Police’s Crime and Intelligence Command, with support from the Australian Federal Police National Anti-Gangs Squad and the NSW Police Force’s Criminal Groups Squad.

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