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This was published 7 years ago
Comanchero bikie accused of blackmailing drug dealer refused bail
By Alexandra Back
A Comanchero bikie will spend Christmas in jail after he was brought to court accused of drug trafficking and blackmailing a drug dealer.
Police say Alex Bourne, 29, had approached the dealer at his home on December 7, introduced himself as a bikie and accused the dealer of "putting a dint in our pockets". Bourne allegedly said if he was going to sell drugs, then he could only do so for the Comancheros.
Bourne told the man he had been planning to tie him up and stick a gun in his mouth, and the only reason Bourne spoke to him instead was because of the man's CCTV cameras, court documents say.
Bourne allegedly demanded $10,000 from the dealer, a payment for earlier drug deals the man had made in Comancheros territory.
The dealer, who feared for his safety if he didn't comply, then handed to Bourne $1100 and an ounce of MDMA, police say.
On December 8, the dealer allegedly met Bourne in Civic and handed over $6000 in cash, which Bourne had said was enough. Bourne told the man to stay under the radar, and only deal marijuana.
"You have my word, you won't hear from us again," Bourne said.
On December 12, police say another man contacted the dealer and demanded $15,000 saying, "don't start a war you can't finish".
The dealer contacted Bourne, who asked what the dealer could give them. They arranged a meeting, which the dealer later cancelled.
"If ur not going to pay thats fine ill go away and let the river run its course," Bourne allegedly said in a Wickr message to the man.
He warned the man if he went to police "there'll be consequences".
In an arrangement made over the encrypted messaging app, Bourne met the dealer at a garage on December 21. Police say he trafficked MDMA when he handed 46 grams of the drug to the dealer.
Police say the man feared for his safety throughout.
The prosecution opposed bail on Thursday and called an officer to give evidence. The officer told the ACT Magistrates Court he understood Bourne was a standover man who collected drug debts for the club.
The first constable said police knew of other people who had complained about Bourne's threats, but who weren't willing to make formal statements because they feared retribution.
Defence solicitor Paul Edmonds said the prosecution case hung on the word of one complainant, who was by his own admission a drug trafficker who had sold MDMA to more than 40 people.
"That would make [the complainant], who is the star witness ... a very significant drug trafficker in the ACT," Mr Edmonds said.
He said the AFP did not have enough evidence to charge Bourne in relation to the suggestion of further threats raised by the officer.
Mr Edmonds said while Bourne conceded he was a member of the Comancheros, "it is important to note, we're not in Queensland, it is not an offence to be a member" of the club.
Magistrate Bernadette Boss refused bail, noting the Gungahlin man's criminal history of violence and drug trafficking, and the risk of him reoffending and intimidating witnesses.
Dr Boss also noted the complainant's lack of convictions, significantly, she said, there was a lack of convictions relating to dishonesty.
The case will return to court in January.