Police found "a den for drug trafficking" when they raided a Reid flat after a months long operation at the public housing commission complex, they have told a court.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Sammy Strano, 53, appeared in the ACT Magistrates Court via video link on Tuesday making an application to be released on bail.
He faces 16 charges including drug possession, drug trafficking and possessing illegal weapons.
The court heard evidence from a police officer who said he was a part of a team that had been investigating drug trafficking in Kanangra and Jerilderie Courts in Ainslie Avenue, Reid.
The officer said plain clothed officers had been in place for months and had witnessed numerous people enter Mr Strano's Kanangra Court residence for a short time before leaving.
The officers searched these people and allegedly discovered drugs in their possession.
"If anyone wants to purchase drugs there [at the flats] he is the person to see," the officer told the court.
The officer said since Mr Strano had been incarcerated in the Alexander Maconochie Centre, the drug trade at the flats had "pretty much ceased".
He also claimed government housing staff removed a large amount of needles from deposit boxes at the sites each month.
The court heard weapons including stun guns, police issue extendable batons, knuckle dusters and a crossbow had been seized from Mr Strano's home.
The officer said messages on Mr Strano's phone pointed to debts he owed to people known to police to be part of the drug trade.
Since the police had seized cash from Mr Strano, the officer suggested he would be unable to pay his debts without resorting to crime.
Mr Strano's defence lawyer admitted his client was a heroin addict but denied that he was a major drug dealer, as the prosecution alleges.
He said his client earned an income from selling the Big Issue and from landscaping, and pointed out police had not received statements from any of the people witnessed leaving Mr Strano's flat.
Mr Strano said he had other people staying the night before the police search and this could explain the drug paraphernalia found.
Officers found Narcan, a substance normally administered by paramedics to reverse the effects of a heroin overdose, in Mr Strano's flat.
Mr Strano's lawyer said it was common for heroin addicts to use the drug together to avoid overdoses and Mr Strano had the Narcan to use on friends. He said his client had been trained to use Narcan in jail.
The prosecutor described Mr Strano's home as "a den for drug trafficking" and opposed his bail on the basis of a likelihood he would reoffend, failure to appear and the risk he would interfere with evidence.
Chief Magistrate Lorraine Walker said she was not satisfied any bail conditions could mitigate the risks of releasing Mr Strano.
He was remanded in custody and will reappear in July.
