A COURT has heard an Armidale man made admissions to allegedly trafficking a commercial quantity of drugs after he was caught by detectives in one of the biggest and most exhaustive police operations in the New England.
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Marcus James Bruno Crane was yesterday denied bail in Armidale Local Court after a magistrate found there was a risk he could flee NSW because he was facing up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
“I have no doubt Mr Crane is looking at many, many years in jail if he is convicted,” Magistrate Mark Richardson told the court.
“In serious drug matters, there is always a risk the accused could be tempted to flee the jurisdiction.”
DPP solicitor Elizabeth Lehmann said investigators had intelligence Crane was “able to source high-quality fake identities” and also had interstate connections with family in Queensland, further fuelling the risk he could flee.
Crane was charged with the large commercial supply of ecstasy after he allegedly sold 3700 tablets, and is facing a further commercial supply charge of an extra 1000 MDMA tablets.
Strike Force Ansae was a 10-month operation set up by Armidale detectives to investigate the sale of illegal drugs.
It will also allege the 30-year-old Armidale resident was involved in the commercial supply of amphetamine, and was dealing cocaine as well as almost 9.5kg of cannabis.
Ms Lehmann said investigators had obtained physical and electronic surveillance of Crane as well as a police interview “where he made full and frank admissions” that he was “substantially involved in drug trafficking”.
Ms Lehmann said Crane had been convicted of supplying drugs, namely cannabis, in 2012 and was on a good-behaviour bond at the time.
Crane appeared via video link from Cessnock’s maximum-security jail where he’s being held. He was extradited from Townsville last month, where he was working on a construction site.
Solicitor Yvonne Phillipos conceded it was a strong case but Crane “may have a defence”.
Ms Phillipos said the co-accused had been identified as the alleged “higher-level” supplier in the ring, but her client has no contact with him.
“Police have all of his phones, all of his SIM cards; he has no access to that,” she said.
She said Crane’s father not only needed help due to illness, but also his business was suffering from the absence of his son, who worked as a roof tiler.
“If he is sentenced, then he would be wrapping up, closing down his business,” she told the court.
“His father desperately needs his help.”
Ms Phillipos said Crane wanted to be released to seek drug rehabilitation, his father could agree to forfeit $25,000, and he would remain in Armidale and continue working.
But Magistrate Richardson dismissed the submissions, and said “because of the alleged quantities of drugs involved” about $100,000 would be needed to help to secure his release.
“If he is in rehabilitation, he wouldn’t be helping his father in any shape or form or in any way,” he said.
“Bail is refused.”