CORIO MAN’S INTERNATIONAL ICE BUST CHARGES:
Man in court over alleged link to 2.8kg of ice
A GEELONG supermarket worker has been committed to stand trial over a major international drug bust.
Nicholas Jaworski appeared in Geelong Magistrates’ Court yesterday amid allegations he was connected to 2.8kg of ice that was sent to Australia from Malaysia.
Australian Border Force officials intercepted the drug last October after noticing it was hidden inside one of two suitcases addressed to Mr Jaworski’s home in Corio.
The 22-year-old formally entered pleas of not guilty yesterday to three charges including attempting to traffic ice and drug possession.
The court heard the case against Mr Jaworski involved “extensive” police evidence, including messages sent between the accused and an unknown person via Wickr, an encrypted smartphone application.
It is alleged the supermarket shelf-stacker was in regular contact with the person prior to the drug seizure, with the pair discussing a package that would be sent to his home on McHarry Court.
Mr Jaworski has claimed he had no idea the package would contain drugs and he believed he was going to be sent something in connection to money laundering.
After being arrested, Mr Jaworski told police that the other person gave no indication that almost 3kg of ice would be inside the suitcase.
“The person told me I would literally laugh out loud when I see what’s inside the bag,” he said.
The court was told the Coles employee was allegedly promised $1500 to receive the parcel, with Wickr messages read to the court showing the other person tried to allay the man’s concerns. “Don’t overthink it bro,” one message read. “I’ve got four others who do the same work.”
Prosecutor Mark Regan said the exchanges showed Mr Jaworski and the “mysterious” person had talked about rewards for further involvement in the “enterprise”, including subsidised travel and payments of up to $15,000 a month.
He alleged that Mr Jaworski would have had knowledge that the suitcases sent to him would contain illegal contents.
“He believed they had something in them which was illicit,” Mr Regan said. “He was a willing participant in this clandestine arrangement.”
During the committal hearing, defence barrister Barnaby Johnston argued there were “real issues” with the prosecution’s ability to prove the charges against his client.
Mr Jaworski had initially been charged with attempting to traffic a large commercial quantity of ice, which carries a maximum life jail sentence.
But Magistrate Peter Mellas threw out the charge yesterday after finding there was no evidence Mr Jaworski knew he was going to receive ice in such a large quantity.
Mr Jaworski remains on bail ahead of a directions hearing in the County Court later this year.