Police denied bail on drug traffic charges

May 27 2003
By Kenneth Nguyen

Three former members of the now disbanded Victoria Police drug squad, charged yesterday in relation to an alleged $1.5 million heroin trafficking syndicate, will remain behind bars tonight after a Melbourne magistrate refused to grant bail to the men.

The Melbourne Magistrates' Court was told by Julian Leckie SC, appearing for the prosecution, that Detective Senior Constable Ian Ferguson, 34, Detective Senior Con stable Glenn Sadler, 37, and former detective sergeant Stephen Cox, 39, had entered transactions with another accused heroin dealer, trafficking in 10 kilograms of heroin.

The packed courtroom was told that Detective Senior Constable Ferguson and Detective Senior Constable Sadler had used part of the $1.5 million proceeds to splurge on items including a BMW sedan and a Toyota Landcruiser.

Mr Leckie also said that Senior Constable Joanne Ferguson, wife of Detective Senior Constable Ian Ferguson, had actively particpated in the laundering and spending of the proceeds.

Magistrate Noel Purcell refused bail applications by Mr Cox and Detective Senior Constable Sadler, holding that they had not demonstrated "exceptional circumstances" justifying freedom from custody.


But Mr Purcell granted bail to Senior Constable Ferguson, saying factors including the circumstantial nature of the evidence against her, her family responsibilities and the extreme rarity of a policewoman being held behind bars justified such a decision.

Her husband did not apply for bail.

Senior Detective Constable Ian Ferguson is charged with trafficking a commercial quantity of heroin, conspiracy to traffic heroin, perverting the course of justice and conspiracy to money launder.

Senior Constable Joanne Ferguson is charged with conspiracy to traffic heroin and conspiracy to money launder.

Detective Senior Constable Glenn Sadler is charged with trafficking heroin, conspiracy to traffic heroin, conspiracy to money launder, perverting the course of justice, blackmail and bribery. Former detective sergeant Stephen Cox is charged with trafficking heroin and con spiracy to traffic heroin.

The arrests follow an investigation by Ceja Taskforce, specially set up by Chief Commissioner Christine Nixon to investigate corruption in the disbanded drug squad. The case will continue in late August.