Accused’s pricey boast

Alleged trafficker brags about bank balance, cops big surety

AN accused Hamlyn Heights drug trafficker’s claim that he had $100,000 in the bank convinced a magistrate to set a hefty surety when the man asked for bail.

Labourer Brendon Edwards, 24, faced Geelong Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday to apply for bail after being ar- rested following a raid at his home on Tuesday.

Senior Constable Jacob Horvath told court police found more than 460g of cannabis under a floor board at the home Chaucer St home the applicant shared with his father, Shane Edwards.

He said more than $1000 cash and six new pairs of sunglasses were found alongside the drugs, while weapons and ammunition were found elsewhere at the property.

The father was at the house when police raided but told police he only lived their intermittently and was unaware of the offending items.

“He nominated his son as the only other person who lived at the house,” Sen-Constable Horvath said.

The officer said, based on interviews with the father and son, it was likely Brendon Edwards would be the only person charged.

While the accused man denied he was a dealer, the court heard the quantity of cannabis was over the legal quantity for trafficking.

Sen-Constable Horvath said his reconnaissance of the home suggested deals were taking place, some involving “teenage children”.

Magistrate Angela Bolger expressed reservations about releasing the man to live at the same house where the alleged dealing had taken place.

She said this would be akin to “making sure the shopkeeper stays in his shop”, before raising the prospect of financial security to support his bail application.

“(He) has made the boastful claim he has $100,000 in the bank, let’s start talking about a surety,” the magistrate said.

When the applicant’s father offered a sum of $1000 or $2000, Ms Bolger said: “well, I’m thinking $10,000”.

With that sum agreed to, bail was granted. “This is your first, your last and your only chance to get bail,” Ms Bolger said.

The accused man will return to court on September 20.