By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
A SPRINGVALE drug dealer accused of exchanging drugs for stolen vehicles has been indirectly linked to the Apex Gang, a court has heard.
Andy Nguyen, 21, failed to win bail in Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 11 April while he faces charges of possessing three stolen motorbikes and a stolen Mazda 3, and trafficking heroin and ice.
Police informant Detective Senior Constable Kimberly Alp told the court that Nguyen formed a “drug trafficking syndicate” with another man he roomed with in a Springvale home’s lounge room.
During a police search of the room on 27 March, a safe containing $4720 cash, 23 grams of ice, 11 grams of heroin, two ecstasy tablets, and 1.5 tablets of Xanax was found.
Also in the safe were six drivers’ licences with various names and the Mazda’s car keys. A tick list of names – presumably drug customers – was stuck on the front of the safe, the court was told.
Also in the room was found a stolen number plate, a knuckle duster, a sword, a small amount of cocaine, zip lock bags of cannabis and a Johnny Walker box containing heroin and MDA amphetamine powder.
Police allege the unemployed Nguyen’s wallet held $697.60 cash and a false driver’s licence with his photo.
Det Sen Const Alp told the court that Nguyen had admitted to possessing the four stolen vehicles.
He told police that he received the Mazda 3 – stolen from Hampton Park in late February – from a ‘Steve’ who owed him $1000.
Nguyen admitted to driving around the car while disqualified and affected by drugs, Det Sen Const Alp said.
The car had been seen in the vicinity of an Apex Gang-related aggravated burglary in Dandenong North in mid-March, though Nguyen himself was not linked directly, the court was told.
During the burglary, a shotgun was used to coerce a victim to hand over their ID and phone.
A stolen number plate found in Nguyen’s room was allegedly linked to aggravated burglaries and armed robberies involving the Apex Gang.
The accused admitted receiving one of the stolen motorbikes from a “kid”, which implied he was receiving vehicles from young people in exchange for drugs, Det Sen Const Alp said.
Nguyen allegedly made no comment to police on the fake licence, drugs, cash and stolen number plates found in the lounge room.
The informant said Nguyen, who had an “extensive” trafficking history, had been placed on a community corrections order one month before the police raid.
The court was told Nguyen had failed to attend every CCO appointment since his induction interview.
Nguyen had received the order over multiple counts of trafficking ice, ecstasy and cannabis, possessing a controlled weapon and a prohibited weapon and suspended driving.
Nguyen’s lawyer said the accused was still young, had “reached a turning point” while in custody and had the offer of stable accommodation with an ex-girlfriend, her son and her father.
Magistrate Jack Vandersteen, in refusing bail, noted the prosecution case was strong and that Nguyen could be re-sentenced over the earlier offences that led to the community corrections order.
“You’ll be looking at an immediate and not insubstantial term of imprisonment.”
