Police chase across northern Adelaide leads officers to major drug bust with two men refused bail

Two young men have faced court charged with drug trafficking after the police chopper was called in for a huge car chase from the northern suburbs to the Hills.

Two young men have been refused bail after the police helicopter was called in for a high-speed police chase from the northern suburbs to the Hills, which ended with a major drug bust.

On Monday, Atem Lamef, 19 from Munno Para West, and a 20-year-old man from Salisbury appeared in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court before Magistrate David White to apply for bail.

During the hearing, police prosecutors alleged that just before 7.40pm on Sunday, officers tried to stop a blue Holden sedan on Chelmsford St in Craigmore but the car sped off.

Patrols were pursuing the vehicle briefly but were forced to terminate the pursuit.

PolAir was then called in to follow the vehicle as it headed towards the Adelaide Hills. It eventually stopped on Wakefield Pl in Kersbrook.

Officers on the ground then quickly arrested the driver, the 20-year-old man and his passenger, Mr Lamef.

PolAir was called in to chase a car from Craigmore to Kersbrook overnight. Picture: FlightRadar24

Operation Meld detectives searched the vehicle and allegedly uncovered numerous illegal substances including cocaine, methamphetamine, cannabis and ecstasy.

Police also found an amount of cash.

The 20-year-old was charged with dangerous driving to escape police pursuit, unlawful possession and trafficking in a controlled drug.

Mr Lamef was also charged with trafficking a controlled drug.

Mr White refused Mr Lamef’s application for bail, and said the alleged offending was “particularly serious”, his prior history and pending matters along with his risk of reoffending were too serious to warrant release.

Also on Monday, the court heard the bail application for 19-year-old Mamer Apech, who was seen exiting the car prior to any alleged police chase.

The court heard during Mr Apech’s application, who was arrested and charged with a breach of bail, that a condition of his bail agreement included not being present with the two men allegedly in the car.

Counsel for Mr Apech told the court her client would strongly contest the charges, and denied being present in the car.

Mr Apech was re-released on to home detention bail to his Craigmore address.

All three men are due to return to court later this year.

Originally published as Police chase across northern Adelaide leads officers to major drug bust with two men refused bail