news, crime,
A Canberra scaffolder allegedly found with a “significant” amount of cash and drugs in his car following a spate of police raids has been released on “house arrest”. David Mark Williams, 37, was granted bail in the ACT Magistrates Court on Thursday. He has not entered pleas to charges of drug trafficking and possessing the suspected proceeds of crime. Mr Williams was taken into custody last week after police conducted a series of raids on five properties across South Canberra and allegedly seized $134,000 and 800 grams of methamphetamine stashed in his Ford Raptor. Police say the drugs had an estimated street value of more than $1.1 million. The traffickable quantity of methamphetamine is 6 grams. Special Magistrate Margaret Hunter granted Mr Williams bail until his next court appearance on January 14 but said he would be living effectively under “house arrest”. Mr Williams is only allowed to leave his Gordon home for work and legal and medical appointments. He must also report to police daily. “You are on a close knife-edge,” Ms Hunter said. She said “another magistrate might not have given you bail”, but she wanted to give him the opportunity to prove he could obey the rules. The prosecution opposed Mr Williams’ release saying the scaffolder earning $65,000 a year had run a “sophisticated operation” to fund a “lavish lifestyle” for which he may face debts the prosecutor submitted he “could only repay through offending”. She said there was a risk Mr Williams could interfere with witnesses or evidence as the police investigation continued. In the raids on December 8 police also seized a jetski, three premium motorcycles, a semi-automatic rifle as well as other prohibited weapons, a go-kart and thousands of commemorative coins suspected of being stolen from the Royal Australian Mint. Prosectuors expect more charges to be laid against Mr Williams. The court heard the value of the property was suspected of being more than $500,000. Mr Williams’ representative said there was “nothing to indicate” he owned all the items taken and only faced charges for the alleged drugs and cash found in the car. She told the court Mr Williams had inherited the premium motorbikes from a friend who died and had bought the jetski three years ago. She said Mr Williams wanted to be released to spend Christmas with his young son and argued his last relevant offence was committed more than a decade ago. The magistrate said the “clearly serious” matter had a strong case for the prosecution. Ms Hunter said the very strict conditions of Mr Williams’ bail lessened any risk to the investigation or community.
/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/YSE9Nkng6wVvRADAVf7nRi/db4e3bb4-4243-46e0-ba35-1c63346bd968.jpg/r3_0_1198_675_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg
A Canberra scaffolder allegedly found with a “significant” amount of cash and drugs in his car following a spate of police raids has been released on “house arrest”.
David Mark Williams, 37, was granted bail in the ACT Magistrates Court on Thursday. He has not entered pleas to charges of drug trafficking and possessing the suspected proceeds of crime.
Police say the drugs had an estimated street value of more than $1.1 million. The traffickable quantity of methamphetamine is 6 grams.
Special Magistrate Margaret Hunter granted Mr Williams bail until his next court appearance on January 14 but said he would be living effectively under “house arrest”.
Mr Williams is only allowed to leave his Gordon home for work and legal and medical appointments. He must also report to police daily.
“You are on a close knife-edge,” Ms Hunter said.
She said “another magistrate might not have given you bail”, but she wanted to give him the opportunity to prove he could obey the rules.
Police say more than $130,000 was seized during the search. Picture: ACT Policing
The prosecution opposed Mr Williams’ release saying the scaffolder earning $65,000 a year had run a “sophisticated operation” to fund a “lavish lifestyle” for which he may face debts the prosecutor submitted he “could only repay through offending”.
She said there was a risk Mr Williams could interfere with witnesses or evidence as the police investigation continued.
In the raids on December 8 police also seized a jetski, three premium motorcycles, a semi-automatic rifle as well as other prohibited weapons, a go-kart and thousands of commemorative coins suspected of being stolen from the Royal Australian Mint.
Prosectuors expect more charges to be laid against Mr Williams.
The court heard the value of the property was suspected of being more than $500,000.
Mr Williams’ representative said there was “nothing to indicate” he owned all the items taken and only faced charges for the alleged drugs and cash found in the car.
She told the court Mr Williams had inherited the premium motorbikes from a friend who died and had bought the jetski three years ago.
She said Mr Williams wanted to be released to spend Christmas with his young son and argued his last relevant offence was committed more than a decade ago.
The magistrate said the “clearly serious” matter had a strong case for the prosecution.
Ms Hunter said the very strict conditions of Mr Williams’ bail lessened any risk to the investigation or community.
