Andy smiles like the cat who got the cream after a huge poker table win. Days later, cops forced him out of bed in North Bondi in his undies
- Andy Roberts, 49, arrested in North Bondi
- Charged with commercial drug supply
By Lucy Manly For Daily Mail Australia[1]
Published: 08:13, 9 December 2023 | Updated: 08:13, 9 December 2023
A dad accused of being part of a large-scale drug supply network has had the money he won in a recent poker tournament seized by police during raids across Sydney[2].
Andy Roberts, 49, was arrested at his home in the city’s east, at 3pm the Wednesday before last.
According to a well-placed source, police seized those poker winnings as an apparent proceed of crime[3] , along with 20 grams of ketamine, 15 grams of MDMA, psychedelic mushrooms and £120,000 in cash.
In the months leading up to his arrest, Roberts was the runner up in a poker tournament at St. George Leagues Club earning him £26,280 in tax-free prizemoney.
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 get-up) was arrested at his home in North Bondi, in Sydney’s east, last week
Prior to his arrest, Roberts placed runner-up in a King room poker tournament at St.
George Leagues Club.
Above, a smiling photo
Days later, cops 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 throughout Sydney.
The multi-agency investigation focused on a syndicate operating on the NSW Central Coast.
On Thursday, he faced Waverley Local Court when he was formally refused bail, and will appear at the Downing Centre Local Court on January 16.
In the years before his arrest Roberts briefly worked as a furniture removlist and is known to frequent Beach Road Hotel in North Bondi.
Strike force detectives, State Crime Command squads, the dog squad, the riot squad and the Australian Border Force used warrants to search homes across Sydney.
Roberts pocketed £26,280 in tax-free prize money
Mr Roberts and he partner live together in the Nancy St property
He was arrested at his home before being taken to Waverley Police Station dressed in grey 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 carried out warrants at Mr Roberts North Bondi 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, prohibited weapons and a phone case that unfolds into a plastic gun capable of firing bullets.
Police also allegedly seized close to £360,000 in cash, 12.5kg of heroin, 8kg of methylamphetamine (ice) and 10kg of cannabis.