A former Terrigal real estate agent pleaded guilty to large-scale drug supply and dealing with crime proceeds after offering to connect an undercover officer with his suppliers in hopes of leaving the trade and buying a home.
Appearing at Gosford Local Court, Aaron Silva pleaded guilty to supplying large quantities of gamma-butyrolactone (GBL), heroin, and methamphetamine, as well as handling crime proceeds, after police discovered $89,000 in cash at his home.
Silva’s arrest followed a police investigation by Strike Force Beckenbeeni in February 2023, which probed drug supply on the Central Coast.
During the investigation, the task force identified Silva as part of a drug syndicate and deployed an undercover officer posing as a buyer to gather evidence.
According to the Daily Telegraph, Silva supplied the undercover officer with GBL or methamphetamine on four separate occasions throughout 2024.
On one occasion, the court document stated that Silva arranged a drop in the Terrigal Surf Club toilets, collecting a brown paper bag containing $22,000 in cash left by the undercover officer.
He then returned to his employer at the time, LJ Hooker Terrigal car park, and used a group chat to provide further directions for collecting GBL from a nearby unit complex.
Silva continued supplying the undercover officer with GBL and methamphetamine throughout 2024, arranging drops across Terrigal concealed in random locations, including unit block bins, a service station, and even tampon and Panadol boxes.
The court also heard that he offered the undercover officer to meet his own supplier for a one-time payment of $5,000, as he wanted to ‘get away from this life’ and ‘get a house deposit’ for his family.
On September 11, 2024, police raided Silva’s home, seizing $89,000 and arresting him.
Silva was adjourned to the Gosford District Court, following an October guilty plea by his upline supplier, Thomas Douglas Moloney, who will also face court next month to set a sentencing date.
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