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High-flying Brisbane real estate agent Patrick ‘Ryan’ McCann has been charged with over 34 drug offences ranging from supply, trafficking and possession, following a two-year police sting operation.
Mr McCann, 36, was fired by LJ Hooker after a raid on his Cleveland office and home early this week due to his involvement in a methamphetamine distribution ring.
Cleveland police, dog squad and crime officers found a large amount of the drug ‘ice’ stashed in walls of his home during the raid.
He appeared before Wynnum Magistrates Court on Tuesday, where the case was adjourned until October 27.
He remains in custody after his bail was refused due to his release considered a threat to the community and his "large client base".
Prosecutor Angela Tetley told the court Mr McCann had threatened to "kill any person who informed police of his activities" and he had based his whole lifestyle around trading methamphetamine during the last two years.
Mr McCann, a shining star at LJ Hooker Cleveland, was responsible for selling over $40 million worth of real estate in 12 months and was quickly elevated to one of the top 10 performing agents in Australia - a feat which earned him the runner-up prize at the LJ Hooker Queensland awards.
He was also awarded the prestigious Life Membership Multi Million chapter of the LJ Hooker Captains Club.
A spokesperson for LJ Hooker Cleveland told Real Estate Business the office has not been asked to give any further assistance in the investigation.
"LJ Hooker Cleveland assisted Wynnum Police with a non-property related matter on September 1," a spokesperson said.
"Following police charges, a staff member’s employment has been terminated."
The court heard Mr McCann would routinely text drug customers on his work telephone. Calls were being intercepted by police during the two-year operation and raids this week were conducted as a result of the intercepts.
A number of other locals are being investigated.
Magistrate Zac Sarra said most criminals don’t realise who is listening in on their private conversations.
"The sad reality is most criminals are probably stupid," Mr Sarra said.
"Methamphetamine is a filthy drug and has been tearing the community fabric to shreds."
Defence lawyer David Spiro said the idea that his client is running a large-scale methamphetamine supply operation is "fanciful".
‘There’s only one allegation from the affidavit that my client received commercial recompense for an alleged supply, and that’s the person who provided carpentary services,’
McCann has been charged with 25 counts of supplying dangerous drugs, one charge of possessing a used pipe, four charges of possess goods used in the commission of crime, one charge of attempt to supply dangerous drugs, one charge of trafficking in dangerous drugs, one charge of possessing dangerous drugs and one charge of permitting the use of his place.
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