An Esperance man was refused bail in court after he allegedly transported a large quantity of drugs from Eucla back to town earlier this month in his fuel tank.
Police purportedly found 20 kilograms of cannabis, elaborately hidden inside a car driven by 35-year-old, Jamie Ball-O’Sullivan.
Addressing the court, prosecutor Sgt Kate McDowell said on July 12, police siphoned 200 litres of diesel from the car to find the cannabis sealed inside a compartment in the tank.
Financial transactions “consistent with the volume of drugs” between Ball-O’sullivan, his wife and drug dealers, allegedly took place in June and July this year too.
Sgt McDowell told the court it was part of an ongoing investigation over a couple of years.
She said Ball-O’Sullivan had links with well-known drug dealers in South Australia.
Ball-O’Sullivan appeared via video link from Eastern Goldfields Regional Prison where he applied for bail on the grounds he would live with his mother.
Magistrate Lyons said the prosecution case was strong and he had concerns about his request for release on bail.
“The allegation is very serious on its face,” Magistrate Lyons said.
“It seems to me, if convicted, he is looking at substantial imprisonment.”
Co-accused man Sheehan Varney, 32, also appeared via video link from Eastern Goldfields but did not proceed with his bail application as his lawyer said it would most likely be rejected too.
Ball-O’sullivan and Varney will both face court again on September 9.
Both men remain in custody.
