Carey's brother in 'minor role'

The Age

Tuesday November 17, 2009

By STEVE BUTCHER

THE brother of former AFL champion Wayne Carey will admit to a "minor" role after the importation of chemicals from South Africa that could have made up to 13 kilograms of pure amphetmine.It has been revealed that Kevin "Dick" Carey, 47, felt the circumstances surrounding the matter were "pretty dodgy" and may have involved marijuana or cocaine.But a prosecutor told Melbourne Magistrates Court it was accepted that Carey had not been involved in any way with the importation or with what was to happen with it or its contents.Anna Solocjev said Carey had driven cylinders imported in two rollers used for cricket pitches into Victoria from Queensland and then helped cut them open at a farm outside Melbourne.Ms Solocjev said 22.8 kilograms of white powder €” found to contain 17 kilograms of a precursor drug €” had earlier been secretly intercepted by Customs and removed after the rollers arrived in Brisbane.Carey left Queensland on July 1 last year, watched by federal police, and later travelled in convoy with two co-accused to the property where they were arrested soon after, she said.Ms Solocjev, who asked that two charges against Carey, one of five defendants, be struck out, told magistrate Sarah Dawes he would plead guilty to an offence of attempting to possess a precursor chemical.It was accepted that Carey, who will give prosecution evidence in a later hearing, agreed to transport the cylinders in return for future, unrelated work.She opposed an application by Carey's lawyer to have the charge heard summarily in the Magistrates Court, arguing it was appropriate he be sentenced by the same County Court judge who is expected to deal with the other accused.Carey's lawyer, Moawed Ghaly, said Carey's role was minor, his prior convictions were mostly for assault with none for drugs, and he had co-operated.Ms Dawes will rule on Carey's application today. Carey faces a maximum summary jail term of three years, or five years before a judge.

© 2009 The Age

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