Mongols Leader Marius Sabau Sentenced to Maximum Security Prison for Drug Syndicate
Marius Sabau, the former president of the Mongols outlaw motorcycle gang in Western Australia, has been handed a significant prison sentence after being convicted of managing a highly sophisticated drug trafficking operation. The syndicate utilized Airbnb rental properties across Perth to warehouse substantial quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine, marking a notable case in WA's criminal landscape.
Details of the 2020 Trafficking Operation
Sabau's sentencing, which occurred on Tuesday, stems from his central role in a 2020 drug trafficking scheme that unraveled due to meticulous police work. Detectives placed a tracking device on a vehicle linked to the syndicate, which was equipped with a secret hydraulic smuggling compartment. This breakthrough led to the exposure of the entire operation, showcasing the advanced methods employed by the group.
The 48-year-old Sabau faces multiple drug charges, with the most severe being possession of a trafficable quantity of methylamphetamine with intent to sell or supply. His impending incarceration at Casuarina Prison, a maximum security facility, follows a series of legal setbacks for the Mongols club, including recent convictions of other members.
Police Investigation and Arrests
Sabau was arrested six years ago alongside associates Dre Frazier Collard-Williams, a young gang member, and Cathy Patricia McFarland, a 36-year-old club associate. The arrests came after police raided a stash house in Balga, where they discovered 3 kilograms of cocaine and 1 kilogram of methamphetamine. While the types of drugs were not surprising, the syndicate's innovative use of technology and rental properties to evade detection caught law enforcement's attention.
In May 2020, officers bugged McFarland's Toyota Rav4, with listening devices capturing conversations that confirmed the trio's involvement in serious criminal activities. A tracking device revealed the vehicle's visits to eight different homes booked through Airbnb, including a property on Rochester Circle in Balga rented from an unsuspecting Perth grandfather.
Surveillance and Evidence Gathering
Police surveillance logs detailed McFarland's visits to the Balga property on June 29 and 30, 2020. On the latter date, she and Collard-Williams hid drugs in the roof space, unaware that detectives had installed microphones and cameras throughout the house. After police retrieved the drugs, they monitored as McFarland and Collard-Williams returned to find their $2 million stash missing.
McFarland was heard exclaiming, "There's nothing in here, f...." before urging her accomplice to leave immediately. Subsequent inspections of McFarland's vehicle uncovered a retrofitted hydraulic smuggling compartment, a cipher phone, a cryovac machine, and over $90,000 in cash. Raids on other properties yielded additional drugs and cash, solidifying the case against the syndicate.
Sentencing of Associates and Broader Impact
In November 2022, Dre Frazier Collard-Williams was sentenced to 12 years in prison, with prosecutor Brett Tooker arguing that his role demonstrated he was a trusted and experienced member of the outlaw motorcycle gang. Cathy Patricia McFarland received a 13-year sentence in September 2023. Sabau's sentencing adds to the legal troubles of the Mongols, following last week's guilty verdict for member David Pye, who faces imprisonment for orchestrating the assassination of former Rebels kingpin Nick Martin and commissioning other underworld hits.
Sabau had previously served a three-month sentence for refusing to be sworn in or answer questions when testifying as a witness. His case underscores the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat organized crime in Western Australia, particularly involving sophisticated drug trafficking networks.
