Man charged over $220,000 Pilbara drug haul

A Bulgarra man has been charged after Pilbara police allegedly found more than $200,000 worth of illicit drugs and $90,000 cash in a vehicle and two properties this week

Police conducted a traffic stop on a dark-coloured Mitsubishi Verada about 20km south of Fortescue Roadhouse, while it was travelling towards Karratha, at about 6:30am on Tuesday after receiving a tip.

Searching the vehicle, they allegedly found 165g of methamphetamine, worth about $160,000 in street value, and 2.3kg of cannabis worth $60,000.

About $11,000 cash was also allegedly in the car.

Subsequent searches of the sole driver’s Bulgarra house and Karratha business premises allegedly uncovered a further 13g of meth and $80,000 cash.

Franjo Antony Bilic, 54, from Bulgarra, has been charged with two counts of possession of a prohibited drug with intent to sell or supply and one count of possession of unlawfully obtained or stolen property in regards to the cash.

He was granted bail subject to conditions in the Karratha Magistrate’s Court yesterday

West Pilbara Detective Senior Sergeant Carlos Correia said their information suggested the drugs had been coming into Karratha to be dealt locally.

He said the quantity of drugs found made it a “very significant find”, especially for a small country town.

“To find close to six ounces of methamphetamine is a big score for this area,” he said.

“It’s certainly one of the bigger (finds) that I’ve been involved with.”

The find was part of Pilbara police Operation Torricelli started in December 2016, targeted at stopping the sale and supply of illicit drugs in the Karratha area.

West Pilbara Detectives led the operation and were assisted by Karratha police and Pilbara traffic police.

Sen. Sgt Correia urged anyone with information about possible drug activity to come forward to police.