‘THE ENFORCER’
ACCUSED OF CHASING UP DRUG DEBTS
COURT HEARS OF SYNDICATE:
THE alleged “enforcer” of a cashed-up Cairns drug syndicate has been denied bail amid concerns he may be a flight risk.
Police from the region’s Major and Organised Crime Squad raided 15 homes and businesses last Friday across Cairns, the Gold Coast and Sydney, charging 12 people with more than 50 offences.
Seven face a trafficking charge, including Gokhan Turkyilmaz, 31, an MMA fighter and tattoo shop owner known as “Pitbull”, who is alleged to be a key member of the syndicate.
He made a bid for release in the Cairns Magistrates Court yesterday, but was denied by Acting Magistrate Raimund Heggie, who said he had no strong ties to Cairns.
Outside court detective Senior Sergeant Kevin Goan of the crime squad said it was alleged Mr Turkyilmaz was the “enforcer” of the group, pursuing lower-level dealers and users with drug debts.
During Mr Turkyilmaz’s court appearance yesterday, his solicitor Andrew Peel questioned the strength of the police case, saying it relied largely on phone taps.
Alleged syndicate head Wielslaw Stasiak, 67, was flown into Cairns under police escort late yesterday after being extradited from Sydney on a charge of trafficking. He is due to face court today.
His son, Bryan Stasiak, 36, was granted bail at the Southport Magistrates Court on the Gold Coast on Monday.
The pair is alleged to have been key to funnelling large quantities of ice into Cairns where it was distributed.
“We will allege this has been an organised enterprise for some time,” Sen-Sgt Goan said.
During last Friday’s raids, police seized more than $237,000 alleged to be the proceeds of crime, along with quantities of ice, cannabis and steroids, plus encrypted telecommunications devices.
Sen-Sgt Goan said further quantities of drugs were seized during the seven-month police investigation codenamed Papa Apaco.
Two other alleged members of the syndicate, Jon Robert King, 33, and Jodi Jakaja Russell, 26, also appeared in the Cairns court yesterday.
Mr King has been charged with trafficking and Russell with possession of a thing alleged to be used in the commission of a crime.
Mr King’s solicitor Rowan Silva asked for the case to be adjourned until Friday.
Sen-Sgt Goan said the top level members of the syndicate were not alleged to be major drug users and were instead motivated by “greed”.
Sen-Sgt Goan said the investigation remained ongoing and further charges may be laid.