A major police investigation into a sophisticated party drug syndicate allegedly headed by twin brothers Joel and Flinn Westman has claimed its first scalp in court.
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The twins' close friend, Scott Crowther, has admitted his widespread, "day-to-day" involvement in the criminal group, which police claim was responsible for dealing large quantities of cocaine and ecstasy in the Illawarra.
A set of agreed facts tendered to Wollongong Local Court on Tuesday paint Crowther's role in the syndicate as that of loyal lieutenant and sometimes stand-over man - a person the brothers could rely upon for both advice and muscle if the need arose.
Detectives monitored the Westmans and their alleged offsiders for more than three months in the middle of last year, carrying out around-the-clock surveillance using phone taps, stakeouts, undercover buyers and - perhaps most importantly - planting a bug in the twins' Cringila home.
Police will allege the drug operation was "sophisticated, well-planned and meticulously organised", with Crowther identified as playing an "active role in the day-to-day dealings", primarily assisting the Westmans in collecting debts owed to the group.
Police say Crowther was recorded on several occasions discussing the syndicate's criminal activities with the brothers.
You're gonna give me the car or I'm gonna slice you.
One day in mid-July, police recorded Crowther and the Westmans speaking about a buyer who owed the group money.
Crowther asked how much was owed and one of the brothers allegedly told him it was about $18,000.
The twins then went to the debtor's house, where they phoned Crowther and put him on loud speaker before the trio intimidated him.
Crowther argued with the man about the amount he owed before Flinn Westman allegedly said "you're gonna give me the car or I'm gonna slice you".
In another call recorded a short time later, the brothers allegedly confirm they took the man's vehicle, a white BMW.
The car was then used by the syndicate to carry out their daily business.
Detectives swooped at dawn on August 19, carrying out simultaneous search warrants at the Westmans' home in Coniston, Crowther's house in Dapto and other properties in Wollongong, Woonona and Unanderra.
They seized weapons, drugs and a large quantity of cash, which they will allege is the proceeds of some of the group's illegal activities.
Police discovered an air pistol, an expandable baton, two sets of knuckle dusters, a police detective sergeant's name badge and a police patch from Crowther's house.
He was overseas at the time but arrested when he returned to Australia in early October.
He admitted purchasing the baton, knuckle dusters and firearm from the website 'WISH' but denied knowing it was illegal to have them.
A background report will be prepared ahead of Crowther's sentencing on June 30.
