Simon Robert Arthur was granted bail on drug charges on Tuesday. Photo: Albert McKnight.
A police raid has allegedly uncovered almost half a million dollars in cash, cocaine, cannabis and hand-written instructions on how to deal drugs titled ‘Dad’s Advice’.
Simon Robert Arthur, a 47-year-old who works in the construction industry, has been charged with trafficking cocaine and cannabis, as well as dealing with the proceeds of crime over the allegations.
Police officers had searched a home Mr Arthur allegedly occupied in Turner on 20 August. He wasn’t there at the time, but an alarm system went off when officers went inside.
During the search, officers allegedly found $499,150 cash, about 250 grams of cocaine, about 2.5 kg of cannabis, as well as hand-written instructions for drug trafficking that were titled ‘Dad’s Advice’ and signed ‘Daddio xx’.
Police believe Mr Arthur was the only person residing in the house.
As the trafficable quantity of cocaine is 6 grams, this means he is accused of possessing about 41 times the trafficable amount of the drug.
Mr Arthur handed himself into police on Monday (2 September) before he was arrested. He applied for bail in the ACT Magistrates Court on Tuesday (3 September).
Simon Robert Arthur handed himself in to the police after he learned of the charges. Photo: Albert McKnight.
His lawyer, Michael Kukulies-Smith of Kamy Saeedi Law, said his client had been in the United Kingdom during the police raid and learned about it from family members.
He wasn’t due to return to Australia until the end of this week, but he cut his trip short and voluntarily handed himself in.
“These are simply not the actions of a person who is a flight risk,” Mr Kukulies-Smith said.
The prosecutor, who opposed bail, alleged Mr Arthur was the only person who had access to the house where the drugs were found.
The investigation was still ongoing, he said.
Magistrate James Lawton said he could not find that the prosecution’s concerns were made out and granted bail on conditions including that Mr Arthur live in Turner, remain in the ACT and surrender his passports.
The matter was adjourned to 29 September. No pleas were entered.
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