Former Bandidos sergeant-at-arms and creator of the popular podcast “The Clink” has been charged with drug trafficking on the Gold Coast.
Key points:
- Brent Luke Simpson has been charged with drug trafficking after police raids across the Gold Coast
- His business partner Eden Christopher Gall has also been charged with trafficking and will face court today
- Police allege the trafficking relates to a business selling cannabis oil
Brent Simpson, 45, was on Thursday arrested after police conducted a number of raids across the city targeting what they said was an organised crime syndicate with outlaw motorcycle gang links.
Detectives found about $373,000 in cash, quantities of cocaine, a drug press, 60 vials of cannabis oil, an air rifle and an encrypted mobile phone after executing seven search warrants, Queensland Police said.
Mr Simpson of Palm Beach was charged with one count of trafficking dangerous drugs, two counts of supply dangerous drugs, three counts of possession of dangerous drugs.
Police allege the drug trafficking relates to alleged illegal cannabidiol (CBD) oil product being sold through the company Releaf Therapies.
His lawyer, Michael McMillan told the Southport Magistrates Court on Friday Mr Simpson would make an application for bail on Monday.
The court has heard he is in isolation while in custody due to COVID-19 and will not be required to appear for his bail application next week.
Second man charged, multiple raids
Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) records show Mr Simpson — who is also known as Brent Allchorn — is one of two registered partners behind the business.
A second 45-year-old man, Eden Christopher Gall from Tallebudgera, was also charged with one count of trafficking dangerous drugs on Thursday.
He was granted bail on Friday. He will be required to report to police and surrender his passport.
Defence solicitor Michael Gatenby told the court the case was “unusual” given the drug alleged to have been trafficked was CBD.
He said the prosecution would have to prove the oil sold through Releaf Therapies was unlawful and that Gall had knowledge of this.
He will return to court on August 31.
The charges come as the ABC in July revealed the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), which regulates the supply and advertising of medicinal cannabis, it is assessing a complaint about Releaf Therapies.
A 66-year-old Palm Beach man has been issued a notice to appear for possession of an air rifle that was located at a Tallebudgera property.
He is expected to appear in court on August 20.
In recent years, Mr Simpson has interviewed infamous criminals on his The Clink podcast including Schapelle Corby’s half-brother James Kisina and Silverwater prison escapee John Killick on the topic of redemption.
Detectives from the Organised Crime Gangs Group and Taskforce Maxima, the Gold Coast Criminal Investigation Branch and Australian Federal Police raided properties right across the Gold Coast on Thursday including at Palm Beach, Miami, Burleigh Waters, Tallebudgera Valley and Mermaid Waters.
In a statement, the Queensland Police said: “Police will continue to investigate and disrupt criminal groups, which continue to operate and exploit the community during this global pandemic”.
