A Paddington hotelier has pleaded guilty to drug offences, after a covert operation that resulted in arrests and dozens of charges being laid, News reports.
Officers from the Kings Cross drug unit are thought to have stopped 49-year-old Robert Moroney in his vehicle on the evening on 21 November. Searches of his car and hotel room caught him in possession of 25g of cocaine, over $1,300 cash and mobile phones, leading to his arrest.
The same bust has led to well-known private investigator Frank Monte, aka Frank Montanari, being arrested at his Waterloo home on 14 December.
NSW Police report that on numerous occasions in 2020 Monte allegedly used multiple fraudulent ATM cards to withdraw cash, which sparked the drug unit investigation.
Searching his home and a storage unit, police allege they seized multiple bank cards and almost $24k in cash, as well as electronic stun devices, ammunition, extendable batons, and road spikes.
He is facing 23 offences, including recklessly dealing with proceeds of crime over $5,000, and remains on bail ahead of his next court appearance, 15 February.
Built in 1914, the four-storey former Captain Cook Hotel oversees the intersection of Flinders Street and Moore Park Road.
Having spent the past few years in TV production, Robby Moroney returned to hospitality management in early 2020, taking on a new lease agreement at the Captain.
The new management opted for a fresh start and new moniker, soon changing the name to Captain Paddington. A statement on the pub’s website explains the decision to rebrand had no motivation in the political discussion surrounding Australia Day, 26 January.
Moroney appeared before Downing Centre Local Court in December and was granted bail. He was not required to appear this week, when his lawyer entered guilty pleas on his behalf to supplying a prohibited drug and knowingly dealing with proceeds of crime, to the value of $1373.20.
The amount of cocaine said to have been in his possession constitutes an “indictable quantity” (5-250 grams), which coupled with a charge of supplying carries a maximum penalty of 15 years.
A NSW police representative reported a third charge against Moroney would be withdrawn, although he still faces other charges, including an alleged driving offence.
Counsel requested the matter be adjourned until Moroney’s upcoming scheduled appearance at the Downing Centre, which was granted by Deputy registrar Nicole Hoffmann.
Moroney is due to be sentenced on 11 February.
It must be noted that at no time did the NSW Police say that I was involved in any drug related offences nor do I know or have ever met Mr Moroney. I have never partaken in using buying or selling illegal drugs. Kind regards frank Monte.