The unlikely faces of Australia's ice epidemic: On the outside they lived the 'perfect' family life and even complained about 'junkies' in their street - but this couple were secretly launching their own massive meth syndicate
- Couple were busted for their role in a massive meth syndicate in Bathurst
- Aidan Hartnett pushed 1,505 grams of ice, worth $500,000, onto the streets
- Erin Clayton pleaded guilty to knowingly participating in a criminal group
- Neighbours and friends said they were shocked the couple were drug suppliers
A couple who complained about putting up with 'junkies every day' in their neighbourhood have been exposed as the unlikely faces of a large-scale ice syndicate.
Aidan Hartnett, 24, and Erin Clayton, 22, from Bathurst in regional New South Wales, were busted after police monitored them for seven months leading up to their arrest in March 2018.
Court documents seen by The Daily Telegraph say the father pushed 1,505 grams of ice, worth $500,000, onto the streets - with the majority being sold from the family home, where they raised their two-year-old daughter.
Aidan Hartnett, 24, and Erin Clayton, 22, from Bathurst, NSW, were caught after a special strike force listened and watched them for the seven months before March 2018
Hartnett has since pleaded guilty to large commercial drug supply while Clayton pleaded guilty to knowingly participating in a criminal group
Hartnett admitted to large commercial drug supply, while Clayton pleaded guilty to knowingly participating in a criminal group.
She is expected to be sentenced next month, with the possibility of being jailed for up to two years.
The agreed facts reveal the couple discussed the issues of 'junkies coming here every f**king day' - before Clayton embraced her role in the syndicate.
Weeks later, she was recorded talking about drugs with Hartnett and an accused dealer, saying the couple were 'making less money now we have to pay him'.
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On February 7, 2018, Hartnett texted Clayton asking her to put a Tarocash bag in the bin.
Later that day police pulled over a car and seized a plastic black bag full of $45,000.
Clayton later complained about the seizure and said 'that could have brought my house'.
The couple's home was raided in March last year as part of a massive sting.
The agreed facts reveal the couple discussed the issues of 'junkies coming here every f**king day' - before Clayton embraced her role in the syndicate
Court document say the father pushed 1505 grams of ice, worth $500,000, onto the streets - with the majority being sold from the family home
Residents of the street said they were in shock and surprised after the home was raided.
One woman said: 'They kept it under the radar — you wouldn't have known that (they) were doing it unless you were zoomed in on it.'
Another, who knows Clayton, said she is still seen in Bathurst and acts as a good mother to the couple's daughter.
Pictures of the couple on both their Facebook profiles from last year appear to show a normal happy family including at a Wiggles concert with a child.
The couple's home was raided in March last year as part of a massive sting
Residents of the street said they were in shock and surprised after the home was raided
Dressed up together for what appears to be a party to mark their engagement, the couple appear in one photograph under a banner saying: 'Soon to be Mr and Mrs Hartnett'.
In another, Hartnett, with a child in his lap, sits with Clayton and pose with Santa Claus.
Friends praise the 'loverly (sic) family photo' and another comments 'nice photo'.
Other pictures show their couple's dog, Clayton posing with teammates from a rugby league team and Hartnett sporting his tattoos and on a beach with mates.
Hartnett faces the possibility of life in prison.
Clayton is expected to be sentenced next month, with the possibility of being jailed for up to two years
