BOND'S SILK IN DOCK ON DRUG CHARGE

SITTING in the chair usually reserved for his clients, barrister
Andrew Roderick Fraser could easily have been another well-dressed
lawyer in the packed Melbourne Magistrates courtroom yesterday morning.

But, just like his former client Australia's biggest corporate
criminal, Alan Bond Mr Fraser was this time on the other side of the
law.

Mr Fraser allegedly was snagged in an international investigation
targeting a cocaine syndicate. It was one of the largest cocaine hauls
in Victorian history, allegedly involving 6kg of cocaine with a street
value of $6 million.

Mr Fraser, 48, of West St Kilda, was arrested at the weekend in his
house by armed Victorian Drug Squad members, the Australian Federal
Police and the Customs Service.

The swoops were part of a joint operation, Operation Regent. Mr
Fraser, regarded as one of the country's most sought-after criminal
lawyers, was charged with trafficking, possessing and using cocaine
and possessing ecstasy.

He was released on Sunday on a $10,000 surety after appearing before a
bail justice at the Melbourne Custody Centre.

In the Magistrates Court yesterday, Mr Fraser's lawyer, Con Heliotis
QC, successfully applied for the matter to be adjourned until
September 27.

Mr Fraser was not required to enter a plea. Magistrate David McLennan
extended bail on the condition Mr Fraser not attend any point of
international departure in Australia nor any Australian customs point.

Outside the court, Mr Fraser would only say: "Things are not always as
they seem in life on the surface."

In his legal career, Mr Fraser represented gunman and drug dealer
Dennis Bruce Allen, footballer and convicted drug dealer Jimmy
Krakouer, and defended one of the four men charged over the Walsh
Street police murders.

He also defended the woman charged with stealing a newborn baby before
trying to murder its mother.

His co-accused, Werner Paul Roberts, 52, and Andrea Mohr, 36, both of
Elwood, and Carol Brand, 36, of St Kilda, were remanded in custody.

They faced a separate hearing, where prosecutor Berdj Tchakerian told
the court the three were charged in relation to importation.

Mr Roberts is charged with importing a commercial quantity of cocaine
and possessing a commercial quantity of cocaine.

Ms Mohr faces charges of conspiring to import a commercial quantity of
cocaine and being knowingly concerned in the importation of cocaine.

Ms Brand is charged with importing and possessing commercial
quantities of cocaine.

Mr McLennan bailed Mr Fraser to appear on September 27 and remanded
his three co-accused in custody to appear on November 19.