A man alleged to have laundered large amounts of cash for a $1.8 billion cocaine syndicate has been bailed despite potential threats from his former criminal associates.
In September, multiple arrests were made with police announcing they had shut down a group called 'The Commission' they claimed controlled Sydney's cocaine market facilitating about 50,000 daily deals.
One of those arrested was Duy Phuong Nguyen who was accused of laundering around $13 million for the gang by retrieving packets of funds, counting them and then dropping them off.
The 34-year-old was hit with a slew of proceeds of crime charges and placed behind bars on September 18.
He appeared by video-link from Silverwater prison wearing a hi-vis vest over his green prison top on Tuesday when his barrister Troy Edwards SC successfully applied to the NSW Supreme Court for bail.
Justice Sarah McNaughton heard Nguyen had allegedly communicated via the encrypted program Threema and that CCTV footage showed him leaving his Villawood home around the time that "dead drops" were scheduled through the app.
Prosecutors also allege that photographs of money counting machines sent through Threema were taken in the 34-year-old's bedroom.
While Mr Edwards acknowledged the reasonably strong circumstantial case, he said police surveillance against his client had only started after the alleged money laundering had taken place.
When officers eventually raided his home, they only found a gel blaster and $10,000, the court heard.
With prosecutors alleging Nguyen had laundered $13 million in total, there was no indication as to what his purported share was for his role in the group, Mr Edwards said.
Crown prosecutor Diana Paterson said police were concerned about Nguyen's safety if he was released from prison.
The 34-year-old could identify members of the syndicate, including those who had not been arrested, she argued.
"Because of the nature and type of the organisation and the amount of money and drugs allegedly being used, (there) there is a risk," Ms Paterson said.
Given this threat and the very high possibility he would be sentenced to imprisonment if found guilty, there was a likelihood he would try and flee the country, the court heard.
Justice McNaughton granted bail finding the risks could be ameliorated by imposing strict bail conditions, including house arrest.
She acknowledged police and crown submissions that his knowledge of those in The Commission could "endanger his own safety," but said these concerns were speculative.
The judge noted that Nguyen had come from a modest, highly respectful family and questioned why he had become embroiled in serious criminal conduct.
The 34-year-old had no lawful employment at the time of his arrest, but had trained to become a mechanic.
His sister has put up $1 million using her two properties as surety plus an additional $20,000 in cash, while his brother-in-law has handed over a further $40,000 which will be forfeited if he does not appear at court.
"That is a lot of pressure on (Nguyen) to stay in the jurisdiction should he be granted bail," Justice McNaughton said.
He will be required to wear an ankle bracelet, and will not be allowed to leave home unless to speak with a lawyer or doctor or to attend court.
Nguyen has yet to make formal pleas to 37 counts of knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime, two counts of dealing with the proceeds of crime under $100,000, one count of possessing an unauthorised firearm and one count of participating in a criminal group.
He will next come before Parramatta Local Court on November 14.
