Paul McGirr successfully obtains bail for accused in alleged $623 million cocaine supply

A Hunter electrician who is one of five charged after a massive $623m cocaine bust on a 13-metre leisure boat off a small mid-north coast town has been granted conditional bail after successful submissions by Paul McGirr.

Cardiff electrician Cooper Hollingworth, 24, applied for bail, igniting a lengthy debate between Mr McGirr and the opposing police prosecutor, who attempted to file a different set of facts, new evidence and play news articles, none of which had been served on the defendant prior.

Hollingworth is one of five men arrested on May 9 after police raided a 13-metre cruiser Sea Ray as it was heading towards the port at South West Rocks. On-board, police will allege they found $623m of cocaine in a number of bales onboard.

Paul McGirr told Coffs Harbour Local Court that while his client was on board the vessel, and police surveillance showed him getting supplies and pulling anchor, the Crown case against his client was “not strong”.

“There’s nothing to suggest he knew what was in those black bales,” Mr McGirr said, also noting the lack of Hollingworth’s DNA on the packages and the fact he was surveilled leaving the harbour with spearfishing equipment.

The court heard that Hollingworth had no criminal record, had regular work and was supported by his fiancee in court, while he appeared from Clarence Correctional Centre.

His Honour Magistrate Linden granted bail with a cash surety of $150,000, noting Hollingworth’s passport had already been seized and was to remain with the police.

The matter returns to court on August 26, 2025.

Bazzi found not guilty of supplying GBL

Magistrate Megan Greenwood found Michael Bazzi not guilty of supplying GBL and dealing with the proceeds of crime when he appeared before Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday March 9.

Paul McGirr told the court that Mr Bazzi drew the attention of police as he “probably stuck out” due to being outside during the height of the pandemic.

“As someone with anxiety and depression, what a complete disaster it is to be consuming a substance not prescribed by a doctor,” Magistrate Greenwood said.

“We see people whose brains are fried from these substances. They can never, ever work or maintain relationships again.”

Mr McGirr made an application that our client be given back the $3000 seized by police. It was not opposed by the prosecution and Magistrate Greenwood ordered it be returned.

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Paul McGirr obtains bail for client in Pulp Fiction case

Karla Jade Milne was granted bail by Magistrate George Abood after submissions by Paul FC McGirr at Parramatta Local Court in September.

In scenes similar to the Quentin Tarantino movie Pulp Fiction, where Uma Thurman snorts John Travolta’s heroin and has to be revived, Karla Jade Milne’s alleged customers had to be saved by paramedics after a triple overdose at the Meriton Apartments on Kent St in the Sydney CBD in the early hours of September 5.
The trio allegedly had Milne, 26, of Pyrmont, ­deliver what they thought was cocaine to an after-party following a dance party at the Metro Theatre.
Within minutes of snorting the heroin, the three men starting trembling and sweating profusely, documents tendered to Parramatta Bail Court yesterday said.
Milne was granted bail in court yesterday after her lawyer, Paul McGirr, pointed out there was another man with Milne and police couldn’t rule out that he supplied the drugs.
Magistrate George Abood disagreed with the claim that it was a weak case against Milne but granted her $5000 bail.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/pulp-fiction-customers-turn-purple-after-mistakingly-snorting-heroin/news-story/f374066a36e7f204ae94c5bdbb759a5a?nk=522f7bec9f2e078a48935847bf893a69-1475904921