A Wardell father-of-five, who was arrested on Sunday for the alleged ongoing supply of ice across the region, has been refused bail.
Bradley Fernando appeared at Lismore Local Court on Monday and was represented by his solicitor Ms McDermott.
The 41 year-old faced six charges including supplying a commercial quantity of a prohibited drug, three counts of supplying greater than an indictable quantity of a prohibited drug and two counts of supplying a prohibited drug.
Fernando is yet to enter a plea to any of the charges.
On July 28 last year, in the Ballina Bunnings car park, police allege Fernando supplied 3.22 grams of ice for $1b000, the day after he allegedly sold 1.48 grams for $500 in the Ballina RSL car park.
Between January 13 and 18, it is alleged Fernando supplied ice on two occasions in quantities of 342 grams and 85 grams at Ballina.
Then, between January 20 and 21, police allege Fernando supplied 142 grams of ice in Sydney.
Mr Fernando was arrested on Sunday and refused bail, after driving from Kempsey to Wardell, and allegedly supplying 115 grams of ice at Woodburn.
Ms McDermott requested Fernando be granted bail so he could prepare his legal defence and support his family.
She said he had four children under seven years-old, the youngest being four months, and his five year-old was autistic.
The court heard Fernando could live at Moree with relatives, he would not take drugs and would not contact any witnesses.
Magistrate Michael Dakin refused Fernando bail, stating police had a ‘very strong’ case against him.
He said the facts, if proven, established ‘very serious criminal offending’.
‘This is extremely serious criminal behaviour,’ he said.
‘He faces the prospect of custodial sentences of a significant duration if convicted.’
Mr Dakin adjourned Fernando’s matters until April 18, when he will appear via video-link.
Original report
Strike Force Cheddar, formed by the Richmond LAC Drug Unit, has finally arrested a man they have been targeting since last May – and he was carrying 115 grams of ice.
Police allege the 42-year-old Wardell man had been supplying commercial quantities of the drug in Ballina and Moree.
Officers stopped the man’s car at Woodburn on Friday.
Police allege that during a search he discarded a cloth bag that contained 115 grams of methylamphetamine (ice).
He was taken to Ballina police station where he was charged with supplying a greater than indictable quantity of a drug; supplying a prohibited drug – greater than a commercial quantity; and supplying a prohibited drug
The man was bail refused and was due to appear in Lismore Local Court yesterday.
