- Andy Roberts, 49, arrested in North Bondi
- Charged with commercial drug supply
A father accused of being part of a massive drug network has had the money he won at a recent poker tournament seized by police during raids in Sydney.
Andy Roberts, 49, was arrested at his home in the city’s east end at 3pm on Wednesday.
According to a well-placed source, police seized the poker winnings as an apparent crime, along with 20 grams of ketamine, 15 grams of MDMA, psychedelic mushrooms and $120,000 cash.
In the months leading up to his arrest, Roberts was runner-up in a poker tournament at the St. George Leagues Club, which earned him $26,280 in tax-free prize money.
Roberts was taken to Waverley police station and charged with nine offences, including two counts of large commercial drug supply and two counts of dealing with proceeds of crime.
Andy Roberts (dressed in a festive cat-themed outfit) was arrested at his home in North Bondi, in Sydney’s east, last week
Prior to his arrest, Roberts placed second in a King room poker tournament at the St. George Leagues Club. Above is a smiling photo
Days later, police raided Roberts’ home while he was still in his underwear
He was one of eight people arrested by Strike Force Shiel, a six-month investigation by the State Crime Command’s Drug and Firearms Squad into drug supply across Sydney.
The multi-agency investigation focused on a syndicate operating on the NSW central coast.
He faced Waverley Local Court on Thursday when he was formally refused bail, and will appear before Downing Center Local Court on January 16.
In the years before his arrest, Roberts worked briefly as a furniture remover and is known to regularly visit the Beach Road Hotel in North Bondi.
Detectives from the Strike Force, State Crime Command squads, dog squad, riot police and Australian Border Force used arrest warrants to search homes across Sydney.
Roberts pocketed $26,280 in tax-free prize money
Mr Roberts and his partner live together in the property in Nancy St
He was arrested at his home before being taken to Waverley police station wearing gray shorts and a red Hawaiian shirt
Men aged 29, 32 and 46 were arrested at an address in Beverley Hills, and a 63-year-old man was arrested in Campsie.
Police also arrested a 38-year-old man in Rouse Hill, plus a 31-year-old man in Neutral Bay.
Strike Force detectives executed arrest warrants at Mr Roberts North Bondi’s home
A prohibited weapon was also seized
20 grams of ketamine, 15 grams of MDMA, psychedelic mushrooms and $120,000 in cash were seized
During the raids, police seized illegal drugs, gold bullion, banned weapons and a phone case that unfolds into a plastic gun that can fire bullets.
Police also reportedly seized almost $360,000 in cash, 12.5kg of heroin, 8kg of methylamphetamine (ice) and 10kg of cannabis.
