A tap on an alleged south-west drug ring leader's phone has given a unique insight into the illicit drug world involving single deals of $40,000.
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The messages related to the delivery of drugs and cash to and from Melbourne, Geelong, Warrnambool and south-east South Australia, with one deal referencing a $40,000 cash exchange.
Jacob Gingall, 19, Kala Bonney, 21, Jacob Arndell, 28, and William Orde, 27, all of Warrnambool, appeared in Warrnambool Magistrates Court on Friday charged with serious offences, including conspiracy to traffick drugs of dependence.
Mr Gingall was remanded in custody to be assessed for the Court Integrated Services Program ahead of a bail application on May 15.
Ms Bonney successfully applied for bail after the magistrate found she had shown compelling reasons why she should be released from custody.
Those reasons included having a two-year-old child, no criminal history and the possibility of a delay in sentence.
Ms Bonney was arrested last Thursday after a search warrant uncovered 37 grams of cannabis at her Dales Road property, the court was told.
A brief analysis of her phone revealed messages relating to her working with Mr Gingall and Mr Orde to sell cannabis throughout the Warrnambool area, the court heard.
A police informant said Mr Orde and Ms Bonney were in a relationship and that Mr Orde was "at the top" of the hierarchy in the illegal operation.
The court heard police established Operation Abalone in September 2019 in order to investigate the alleged trafficking of methamphetamine, GHB and cannabis by Mr Orde.
In March this year, investigators obtained a supreme court warrant to phone-tap Mr Orde.
That uncovered numerous messages between Mr Orde and Mr Arndell with references to a male driver delivering drugs to Mr Arndell's Kagoola Avenue property and there being $40,000 cash waiting.
Police allege the pair were obtaining drugs from Melbourne and travelling to South Australia to drop off methamphetamine and pick up cannabis.
A search warrant executed at the Kagoola Avenue house last Thursday uncovered quantities of GHB, cannabis, zip lock bags, knuckle dusters, a tick list and drug paraphernalia.
Police also seized 28 grams of methamphetamine - more than nine times the trafficable amount.
A police informant said Mr Arndell lived with his children at the property, which he said appeared to be the drug network's "headquarters".
Mr Arndell unsuccessfully applied for bail and was remanded in custody until August 21.
Mr Orde did not apply for bail and was also remanded in custody until that date.
Warrnambool police Detective Acting Sergeant Ellissa Smith said the investigation into the trafficking of commercial quantities of drugs was ongoing and would centre on Warrnambool, Geelong, Melbourne and south-east South Australia.
More than 100 grams of ice was seized during the raids as well as "ounces" of ecstasy and ketamine and smaller amounts of cannabis and cocaine, the detective told The Standard.
The raids were at Warrnambool's Kagoola Avenue, Dales Road, Landy Grove, Cleveland Street, Raglan Parade east and Allansford.
Warrants were also executed at Hamilton's Coulson Court and at Wannon.
A large amount of ice, ketamine, cocaine, cannabis and prescription medication was found at Coulson Court on Friday where three people aged about 30 years old were arrested.
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