NSW:Freeman held as part of NSW drug sweep

AAP General News (Australia)
08-05-2011
NSW:Freeman held as part of NSW drug sweep

By Chi Tranter

SYDNEY, Aug 5 AAP - Kings Cross nightclub owner Adam Freeman will spend a week in custody
after making a brief appearance on drugs charges in a Sydney court, hours after being
extradited from Thailand.

The 28-year-old son of the late underworld figure George Freeman was escorted on the
flight to Sydney by NSW police, touching down about 6am (AEST) on Friday.

Freeman left Australia in December after a friend was allegedly caught with 19.5kg
of methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) and drug paraphernalia during a vehicle stop on the
Kamilaroi Highway, Quirindi, on December 15.

A global warrant was issued for his arrest in connection with the ecstasy seizure,
and he was arrested by Thai authorities in Bangkok in June.

He was extradited from Thailand on Thursday night, and was taken to the city's police
centre in Surry Hills on Friday morning where he was charged with the manufacture of a
commercial quantity of a prohibited drug.

He appeared in Central Local Court later on Friday, where his lawyer Michael Tanevski
said he would apply for bail in a week's time.

"This is the first time I have met (Freeman) as he arrived from Thailand this morning,"

Mr Tanevski told the court.

Magistrate Lee Gilmour adjourned the matter until August 12.

Speaking to reporters earlier in the day, Detective Inspector Nic Iorfino said police
were not at this stage looking at whether Freeman was taking advantage of his connections
in the Kings Cross area to supply amphetamines.

"That's not part of any allegation we are making at this stage, and obviously something
I can't comment on," he said.

"The allegation against this male will include the evidence obtained in December, which
includes the 19 kilograms of the drug MDA."

Insp Iorfino said Strike Force Harrower, established in January following the MDA bust,
discovered 19kg of the MDA at a property at Werris Creek, near Tamworth in northern NSW,
two months later.

He alleged Freeman, who is the sixth person to be charged by the strike force, was
also engaged in the manufacture of illegal drugs at that property.

Other people charged with drug and firearm offences include two 27-year-old men from
Cronulla, a 26-year-old man from Cronulla, a 34-year-old man from Nowra and another 34-year-old
man from Falls Creek.

Insp Iorfino indicated that police were still looking into Freeman's motives for leaving
Australia in December.

AAP ct/tr/jnb/de

KEYWORD: FREEMAN WRAP

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