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SYDNEY - Three men have appeared in court charged over the seizure of 40kgs of the drug ecstasy at Sydney's Port Botany.
Terrence John McCraw, 56, of Sefton, James Lattouf, 57, of Yagoona, and Ronald Victor Stanley, 59, of Guildford, were today refused bail in Sydney's Central Local Court.
Each man faces one count of possessing a commercial quantity of a prohibited import, namely MDMA, or ecstasy.
Australian Federal Police arrested the men at Sydney's Port Botany about 10pm (AEST) yesterday as they drove away from a wharf.
A fourth man, who is yet to appear in court, was allegedly arrested on board a ship. Charges have not yet been laid against him but he was expected to face court later today.
Stanley, whom the court heard has worked for Patrick Stevedores for 37 years, was the only man to apply for bail.
"The seriousness of the offence and strength of the case must be issues of great concern to the court today," solicitor Karen Beresford said.
"However, Mr Stanley is asking that the court grant him bail today."
Ms Beresford said Stanley did not know what was contained in the bags found by police, presumably those alleged to have contained the illicit drug.
Magistrate Allan Moore denied the bail application, referring to police facts alleging Stanley had been involved with "the loading of product" into vehicles.
"We are looking at some 40kgs of drug with a substantial street value," he said.
Bail for was formally refused for Lattouf and McCraw.
All three matters were adjourned until September 26.
- AAP
