A man facing serious drug charges has been granted bail after a magistrate told the prosecutor “you can’t keep everyone in custody”.
Iakopo Ta’ala, 30, was one of three men who fronted court after police cracked a drug syndicate across various suburbs in western Sydney.
The State Crime Command’s Drug and Firearms Squad established Strike Force Howse in November 2022 to investigate the supply of cocaine across the Inner West, Western and Southern suburbs.
At around 11am on Wednesday, February 8, strike force detectives seized almost one kilogram of cocaine and arrested three men and a woman in the car park of a Parramatta motel.
A short time later, police executed five search warrants at properties in Lurnea, Warwick Farm, Raby, and Gregory Hills, and a business in Cabramatta.
It is alleged that police seized cash, a replica firearm, luxury watches, and small amounts of cocaine and cannabis.
All four people were taken to Merrylands and Granville Police Stations and charged with various offences.
Grant Taulafo, 23, was charged with ‘supplying large commercial quantities of a prohibited drug’, ‘supplying prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis’, ‘participating in a criminal group’ and ‘driving a motor vehicle during a period of disqualification’.
Bobby Murray-Waititi, 24, was charged with ‘knowingly taking part in the supply of a prohibited drug’, ‘supplying prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis and ‘participating in a criminal group’.
Ta’ala was also charged with ‘knowingly taking part in the supply of a prohibited drug’, ‘supplying prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis and ‘participating in a criminal group’.
A 30-year-old woman was released by police pending further inquiries.
At Parramatta Local Court on Thursday, Ta’ala, who appeared via video link, was granted bail with “incredibly stringent conditions” after his lawyer Yusuf Hassan told the court that the prosecution did not have a strong case.
“The prosecution needs to prove he [Ta’ala] has a greater role than just his mere presence,” Hassan said.
“There is nothing to prove that he had any knowledge of what was going on”.
The prosecution opposed bail, concerned that Ta’ala’s release would pose a significant risk to the community.
The Magistrate told the court: “I’m not for one second suggesting that these are not serious offences… but we’re dealing with 1kg [of cocaine]”.
“You just can’t keep everyone in custody”.
Ta’ala, who was visibly relieved, has been ordered to comply with strict conditions including that he reports to police and wears an electronic ankle monitor.
The prosecution said it would appeal the bail decision in the Supreme Court.
Taulafo’s matter was adjourned to Thursday, April 6 after no bail was applied for and refused.
Murray-Waititi was not required on screen. His matter was adjourned to Friday when no bail application was made.
The court heard that he rejected Legal Aid on Thursday but has now sought their assistance.
Investigations under Strike Force Howse are continuing and Murray-Waititi’ is due to reappear in court on Thursday, April 13.
Formerly with the ABC, Makayla is a graduate of Western Sydney University. She covers a variety of news topics for Parra News.