Dark web drug bust
Flatmates face court after year-long AFP operation
TWO Hope Island flatmates allegedly used the dark web and bitcoins to deal more than $264,000 of drugs including ice, cocaine, ecstasy and cannabis in 620 sales.
The pair were charged with multiple drug supply and trafficking charges after a year-long sting by the Australian Federal Police.
A raid on the Peninsula Apartments at Surfers Paradise also allegedly found about $75,000 cash, a rifle and four 1kg packages of ice.
Horse trainer Simon Byrne, 30, was yesterday denied bail in the Southport Magistrates Court.
Magistrate Mark Howden said even though the evidence was “circumstantial” the case was “serious”.
Mitchell Joe Hutchinson, the alleged ringleader, did not apply for bail.
Commonwealth prosecutor Daniel Whitmore said the AFP purchased drugs and on November 13 followed the pair from Hope Island to an apartment block in Surfers Paradise.
“The surveillance observed Hutchinson pick up Byrne … they attended at Peninsular Apartments … and entered a room and were in there for half an hour … from there they went to Australia Post and deposited a number of packages,” he told the court.
The court was told the AFP had organised with Australia Post to have the post box emptied. They allegedly found 13 packages containing small amounts of drugs in the box.
Hutchinson, an electrician, was living with Byrne for about three months and is alleged to have been dealing drugs since at least July of this year.
Byrne is alleged to have been involved in the operation since October 2.
Defence lawyer Chris Hannay, of Hannay Lawyers, told the court there was no evidence to link Byrne to the drugs.
Outside court, Mr Hannay said Byrne and Hutchinson would apply for bail in the Supreme Court.
The matters will heard on December 17. next be