Man allegedly caught with 'wholesale' amount of cocaine, bundle of cash granted bail

A man allegedly caught with a "wholesale" amount of cocaine and a bundle of cash hidden in his vehicle has been granted bail with conditions including having to wear an ankle bracelet.

Steven Michale Patestos, 56, applied for bail in Brisbane Supreme Court today on the charges of possessing more than 200 grams of dangerous drugs, possessing cash suspected of being the proceeds of crime and driving without a licence .

Patestos was pulled over outside Mackay on the coast of north Queensland on December 10, 2024 and police allegedly found one kilogram of cocaine in his vehicle's roof-top tent and $1000 in cash.

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Justice Melanie Hindman said Patestos was driving the vehicle and police had a search warrant.

"It's obviously very serious offending and (Patestos) if found guilty can expect to be sentenced to custody for a relatively significant amount of time. It is of course a wholesale amount of cocaine," Justice Hindman said.

Defence solicitor Nick Crawford told the judge he had nothing to add to the affidavit filed for his client's application and the crown prosecutor did not oppose bail.

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"The Crown in this case isn't opposed to bail on the basis that the risk of committing further offences whilst on bail can be sufficiently ameliorated by the imposition of strict conditions of bail," Justice Hindman said.

"I agree with this position."

Justice Hindman said Patestos had denied knowledge of the drugs allegedly found in his vehicle and had offered an explanation for why he possessed cash.

Patestos will be limited to possessing one mobile phone while on bail, be forbidden from using encrypted applications and must provide access to his phone to police on request.

"There is the imposition in this case of a tracking device ... given the likely outcome if he is found guilty of these offences it is an appropriate measure to monitor his compliance, particularly his court appearances and residential conditions," Justice Hindman said.

"I will grant bail on the proposed conditions."

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