Drug, burglary ring ‘busted’, court hears

KIM WATERS
POLICE have busted a “very well-organised” drug and burglary ring in Geelong, a court heard this week.
Jason Davison, Ryan Stalker and Timothy Innes fronted Geelong Magistrates Court on Wednesday over an alleged series of “large-scale” burglaries that netted the group more than $200,000 in stolen goods.
Mr Davison, 34 of Burdoo Drive, Grovedale, also appeared on charges of drug trafficking and possessing an unregistered firearm.
Police Senior Constable James Constance told the court officers executed numerous warrants during a series of overnight raids on May 24 as part of an “extensive investigation” into a Geelong drug trafficking operation.
Snr Const Constance said police intercepted about 3000 phone calls between the three men and a Craig Doherty, 39, of Francis Street, Belmont, regarding the handling of stolen goods and trafficking meth-amphetamines.
Police executed another search warrant at Mr Davison’s Grovedale home on May 25, seizing 65 grams of amphetamines in a cream-coloured balloon, black Oakley sunglasses, an Apple Mac computer, an un-registered starter’s pistol and three mobile phones.
Snr Const Constance said police believed the group was responsible for a series of large-scale burglaries on commercial premises in the region.
He alleged Davison was also involved in “transportation” of drugs from Melbourne to Geelong for sale.
All the Geelong police division was working on the continuing investigation, Snr Const Constance said.
Magistrate Stephen Myall refused Davison bail.
Mr Myall scheduled Stalker and Innes for bail application hearings on Thursday. Mr Davison and Mr Doherty will face court again on June 22.
The four men first appeared in Geelong Magistrates Court last week after police raids on their homes uncovered stolen property including tools, cars and two Ducati motorcycles.
Mr Davison’s lawyer, Ms Wells-Simon, said her client had told her the 65g balloon of amphetamines was a “stress ball manufactured in a Salvation Army group therapy session”.