A man suspected of dealing drugs for a decade is unlikely to be the "cleverest druggo in the world", a magistrate has said after police seized more than $500,000 worth of assets as part of a three-month investigation.
Luxury cars and cryptocurrency were among the items seized on Thursday, when Matthew William Byrne, 32, was arrested for allegedly using encrypted devices to facilitate a drug trafficking operation that is also said to involve business partner Sebastian Srna.
Srna, 36, remains before the courts after being charged in September over the alleged discovery of four firearms, large quantities of drugs and $60,000 in cash during a raid on his home in the Woden district.
Police say Byrne, who has been described as "his business partner in the construction game" was present during a second search on October 6.
On that date, officers allegedly found him in possession of two mobile phones that have since been linked to drug trafficking and firearms trading.
As part of ongoing investigations, police stopped Byrne's BMW M4 less than two weeks later and seized it after claiming to have found him driving around with about $64,000 in cash and four mobile phones.
Then, on Thursday, officers from ACT Policing, the Australian Federal Police and NSW Police combined to pull Byrne over in Majura.
They executed simultaneous search warrants on the modified Mercedes G-Wagon he was driving, as well as his Googong home and a business in Mitchell.
As a consequence, police seized that car, a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, jewellery, more than $100,000 in cryptocurrency, prohibited weapons, steroids, documents and electronic devices.
Byrne was subsequently charged with five drug trafficking offences, as well as single counts of dealing with suspected proceeds of crime and using an unregistered vehicle.
When he faced the ACT Magistrates Court on Friday, defence barrister Steven Whybrow SC pleaded not guilty on his behalf to all but one of those charges.
Mr Whybrow said he needed instructions about the alleged driving offence.
He applied for Byrne to receive bail, which prosecutor Sam Bargwanna opposed by arguing the Googong man was likely to commit crimes, endanger other people and contaminate evidence if released.
Called to give evidence, arresting officer Senior Constable Owen Patterson told the court steps were being taken to charge Byrne with drug offences dating back about 10 years.
Under cross-examination by Mr Whybrow, Senior Constable Patterson conceded police had only arrested Byrne on Thursday despite having collected most of the evidence they now relied upon six weeks ago.
He disagreed with Mr Whybrow's suggestion that the material he had prepared for the court contained "extravagant statements".
Mr Whybrow proposed bail conditions that included restrictions on internet access, suggesting Byrne could get an old Nokia that was little more than "a walkie-talkie" to ameliorate concerns about the use of encrypted applications.
"I think you can play Snake on them," he said of the old phones.
Opposing bail, Mr Bargwanna expressed concerns the serious nature of the charges would give Byrne an incentive "to engage in threatening behaviour".
The prosecutor told the court the G-Wagon contained an "instruction sheet", which provided directions on threatening people who owed money.
Special magistrate Margaret Hunter said while the allegations were serious and the case against Byrne seemed strong, she believed bail conditions could ameliorate any risks the man posed.
She was sceptical about the suggestion Byrne was a long-term drug dealer, saying she doubted he was "the most cleverest druggo in the world".
Along with restrictions on his internet access, Byrne's bail conditions include a $10,000 surety, a nightly curfew, and obligations to report to police three times per week.
He is due back in court on March 7, 2023.
Police have urged anyone with information about the manufacture, distribution and sale of illicit drugs in the ACT to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Information can be provided anonymously.
