Alleged 'master' of cross-border drug ring claimed 'harm would flow', court hears

A prosecutor has accused a 21-year-old, who appeared in court on Friday, of pulling the strings of a “significant and far-reaching drug syndicate”.

Bayley Parker Slade Minson, 21, has been charged over his alleged involvement in an interstate drug-manufacturing and trafficking ring.

An ACT Policing spokesperson said that in early 2024, ACT Policing’s Drugs and Organised Crime Team launched an investigation into an alleged drug-trafficking group, and Mr Minson was identified as a person of interest.

Police allege he was involved in the manufacture of MDMA and other controlled drugs through hidden laboratories, mostly by organising and directing other members of the group utilising encrypted applications.

He allegedly arranged for the manufacture of controlled drugs interstate, as well as the alleged sale of controlled drugs and collection of controlled precursors within the ACT.

Mr Minson also allegedly provided funding to other members of the criminal group to carry out various taskings on behalf of the group. Police allege that included the manufacturing of about 20 kilograms of methylenedioxymethamphetamine (or MDMA) at two separate secret laboratories in NSW.

About 11 am on Monday (17 March), Mr Minson was arrested at his Dickson residence.

In the ACT Magistrates Court on Friday (21 March), prosecutor Marcus Dyason told the court those alleged actions made Mr Minson the “master of a significant and far-reaching drug syndicate”.

He opposed his bail application, arguing Mr Minson may not return to court, may commit further offending or endanger others.

Mr Dyason also alleged there was a risk of committing reprisals against other alleged members of the group, including against those who may have cooperated with police.

The court heard Mr Minson had allegedly said “that harm would flow and harm has flowed to other people at his hand”.

Defence lawyer Travis Jackson told the court that it was “all just supposition” from police that his client would seek to harm others.

If bail was refused, Mr Jackson argued that Mr Minson may be held in custody for two years before a trial was held over the allegations.

“He knows that this would be a once-and-only bail application,” he said.

He also said the strong family support around his client, which saw multiple family members present in court, showed “he is well regarded by those who love him and care for him”.

Magistrate James Lawton granted bail, saying that while other alleged members had “expressed levels of fear” about possible reprisals, he was satisfied the proposed conditions would be “so stringent” as to ameliorate the risks raised by the prosecution.

Mr Minson has been charged with participating in a criminal group, recruiting people to engage in criminal activity, conspiracy to traffic in a controlled drug other than cannabis and commission by proxy – possess large commercial quantity-controlled precursor.

He will next appear in court on 29 May.

If you have any information about the manufacture, distribution, or sale of illicit substances in the community, please report that information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Information can be provided anonymously.