By Danielle Kutchel
A Cranbourne carpenter has been granted bail after being charged with multiple offences including trafficking cocaine.
The 35-year-old, referred to as ‘Darren K’ during the proceedings, was granted bail in the Supreme Court of Victoria on Friday 17 September.
He had been on remand since Friday 27 August, when he was arrested and charged with trafficking cocaine, possessing cocaine, trafficking methylamphetamine, possessing methylamphetamine, possessing Viagra, possessing ecstasy, possessing ammuiition without a license, negligently dealing with the proceeds of crime and dealing with suspected proceeds of crime.
At about 8.45am on Friday 27 August, Darren K was intercepted by four police officers outside a Cranbourne West address.
Police executed a search warrant on Darren K’s vehicle and found an iPad, Apple laptop, a re-sealable bag containing 1.6 grams of a clear crystal substance believed to be methylamphetamine, his mobile phone and a blue tablet, believed to be Viagra.
Police then produced a second warrant to search Darren K’s home address in Cranbourne, where they discovered $523,300 in cash in a suitcase in the walk-in robe of the home’s main bedroom.
They also found more re-sealable bags filled with suspected methylamphetamine, alleged to be approximately 5.3 grams in total, as well as more bags containing a white substance believed to be cocaine totalling around 9.3 grams.
Various types of ammunition were found in a glass jar in a drawer in the main bedroom; a blister pack of Viagra was found in a toiletries bag in the ensuite; and a loose yellow tablet, believed to be Ecstasy, was also found.
Police also located several small empty bags in a locked safe, and a pair of digital scales.
The court was told that at the time of the hearing, the seized substances had not yet been tested.
The court heard the iPad had been analysed and found to contain messages consistent with Darren K trafficking drugs.
In a police interview, Darren K admitted to possessing the drugs found and the ammunition, which he said was used as part of the furniture he makes.
He made no comment on the cash found and denied trafficking drugs, telling police they were all for personal use.
Darren K said he had started using methamphetamines six months prior to help him stay awake and cope with his workload.
The court heard he had a drug addiction and some psychological issues, which Darren K had expressed willingness to receive treatment for.
Initially, Darren K had proposed to live with his partner at her Cranbourne West home if bailed.
But the partner admitted to police to also being a drug user. Her home was searched on Wednesday 1 September, and police found a small amount of drugs.
It was agreed prior to the hearing that Darren K’s own address was more suitable for bail.
The proposed surety of $5000 was deemed to be insufficient given the amount of money seized from Darren K.
His brother, Bradley K, offered a new surety of $10,000.
The court heard Darren K’s family, including his mother and another brother, were committed to helping him stay on the straight and narrow and that it was his first time in custody.
Judge Jane Dixon acknowledged that Darren K had no prior criminal history and was facing delays in having his case finalised due to a backlog in the court system caused by Covid-19.
She also noted that psychological treatment was available to him and would begin immediately if he was granted bail; that the bail address was stable; and that Darren K was willing to undergo urine drug testing while on bail.
A surety of $10,000 was deemed to be satisfactory and bail was granted.
Darren K is set to face a committal mention on all nine charges in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Monday 22 November.
