‘Super lab’: man denied bail after huge meth haul
Rex Martinich |
A man accused of links to a “sophisticated” industrial-scale drug laboratory has been denied bail after a judge determined he was an unacceptable flight risk.
Cade Deane Fara was arrested at Brisbane International Airport on June 6, 2023 after Queensland Police raided a warehouse in the nearby suburb of Pinkenba.
Officers allegedly found a large amount of methamphetamine, a clandestine drug laboratory, $583,000 in cash and a handgun with silencer.
Fara applied for bail in Brisbane Supreme Court on Wednesday.
Defence solicitor Ashkan Tai told Chief Justice Helen Bowskill that Fara’s trial was likely to be delayed until 2027 and he would abide by “extreme” bail conditions.
“My client is in a problematic position that there is evidence he was leaving the country when he became aware of the charges that were likely to be laid,” Mr Tai said.
“He has now been in custody for 819 days.”
Justice Bowskill said it was a “real problem” for Fara that there was evidence that he allegedly attempted to flee the country after he became aware police were at the Pinkenba warehouse.
“He was recorded in phone calls … referring to the inevitability of criminal charges and the need for him to leave the country to effectively avoid significant imprisonment,” she said.
Fara faced additional charges after police searched a storage shed at Rothwell, north of Brisbane, on August 1, 2023 and allegedly found drug lab equipment, 900kg of precursor chemicals and a handgun.
Police claimed Rothwell was a potential “super lab” that could have produced half a billion dollars’ worth of meth.
“This is not a drug user dealing to other users. This is a sophisticated operation,” Justice Bowskill said.
“(The charges) are the result of a significant police investigation leading to the discovery of an industrial-scale methamphetamine lab.”
Prosecutor Grace Devereaux said Fara’s offer of a $255,000 surety with bail conditions including daily reporting to police was not enough to outweigh the risks.
“He has already shown he is willing to make large sacrifices to leave the country, and abscond and avoid the potential consequences of these allegations,” Ms Devereaux said.
Justice Bowskill heard police originally claimed they found 41kg of meth at the alleged drug lab but now estimated there was the equivalent of 1.1kg of pure meth contained in 60kg of another substance.
“It’s still really serious but not of the magnitude alleged by police,” Mr Tai said.
Justice Bowskill heard Fara’s committal process was being delayed by the lack of final DNA results on items such as cigarette butts and drug lab equipment.
“It is unfortunate there are these delays in the progress of the matter due to delays in the DNA systems but I can’t put more weight on than the risk of this person not appearing (in court),” she said.
Justice Bowskill refused Fara’s bail application and told prosecutors to present their indictment against him as soon as possible.
AAP
