Bikie given $35k to launder scam money KINGPIN, LOVE RAT & EX COP

A GOLD Coast bikie drug kingpin was paid $35,000 to launder money in a multi-milliondollar boiler room scam, police will allege.

Jason Trouchet is facing five charges including fraud, money laundering and trafficking dangerous drugs.

Police allege the $3.5 million scam in 201314 was masterminded by former high-ranking cop Mick Featherstone and also involved Married at First Sight love rat Daniel Webb. Both have been charged with fraud. Featherstone strongly denies the charges. Webb is yet to enter a plea.

In a separate matter, Trouchet is alleged to be “largely responsible” for the Gold Coast drug trade between April 8, 2014 and June 30, 2015. His lawyer says police do not have a strong case in either matter.

A GOLD Coast bikie drug kingpin was paid $35,000 to launder money in a multi-million-dollar boiler room scam, police will allege.

Jason Trouchet’s alleged involvement comes after it was revealed last month that Married At First Sight contestant Daniel Webb was one of nine people accused of being behind the scheme.

Police allege the scam was masterminded by former highranking cop Mick Featherstone. He strongly denies the charges.

Police allege the scam swindled more than $3.5 million through cold calling in 2013-14.

Trouchet appeared in the Southport Magistrates Court yesterday on five charges including fraud, money laundering and trafficking dangerous drugs.

It was the first time Trouchet had appeared in court over the fraud charges.

The boiler room charges relate to events in June 2013.

It was not clear from the information provided to the court how police claim Trouchet laundered the money or the extent of his involvement in the alleged scam.

Trouchet’s lawyer Adam Guest, of Guest Lawyers, said: “He is said to have benefited a very small amount. The delay in that case is going to be a very lengthy delay.”

Magistrate Joan White granted Trouchet bail on the fraud and drug trafficking charges, saying the police case was “not strong”. “It may well be that the prosecution case will strengthen as time goes on but having regard to the Objection to Bail Affidavit, it is not a particularly strong case,” she said.

Ms White imposed a number of bail conditions on Trouchet, including a curfew between 11pm and 5am, reporting to police three times a week, regular drug testing and a residential address in NSW.

She said a surety was not warranted as Trouchet was on parole and any offending meant he would be returned to prison.

The rest of his co-accused were charged in 2016 in relation to the alleged boiler room scam, but Trouchet has spent the past three-and-a-half years in jail in New South Wales.

He was released on parole last week and extradited to Queensland on Saturday to face the fraud and drug charges.

Police allege in their statement of fact that former Gold Coast detective Featherstone masterminded the boiler room scam.

Former Mongols bikie Nike “the Knife” Forbes was also allegedly involved in the scam.

Forbes is also named in the allegations against Trouchet in relation to drug trafficking.

Police allege Trouchet was spending big on prostitutes, restaurants and penthouses, using money he made being “largely responsible” for the Gold Coast drug trade between April 8, 2014 and June 30, 2015.

Trouchet’s matter will next be heard in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on May 3.