Three men face court over sophisticated cocaine racket

A sophisticated cocaine racket in Queensland has been busted after authorities intercepted texts as part of a five month investigation, dubbed "Operation Papa Marine".

It comes after three men faced separate courts in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast today, charged with a number of drug offences - including trafficking.

In a hearing at Southport for one of the accused, Matt Barsley, a magistrate read out messages from the 37-year-old father.

"People think your stuff's s--t," the magistrate read.

"I'm not touching it, I'm just trying to make money from it."

In further texts, he discusses the price of a bag of cocaine and mentions that a dealer had given a runner as many as 15 bags.

He was refused bail to appear later next month.

Outside court, his lawyer wouldn't be drawn on whether police had a strong case against his client.

"I don't wish to make any further comment on the content (of those texts)," Corey Cullen said.

"It was a difficult application for bail, he was well aware of that."

His co-accused, Alex Arandale and Lee Min Nguyen faced a Brisbane court where they also were refused bail.

The trio was arrested in a quiet Southport street yesterday after police went undercover as tradesmen.

Two of the men attempted to flee but were taken into a custody a short time later.