A Tasmanian entrepreneur and founder of Launceston dealership Braaap has fronted court, charged over motorcyle identification plates.
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Brad Smith, 29, appeared in the Launceston Magistrates Court on Tuesday on behalf of his company, which has been charged with six counts relating to the fitting of identification plates on motorcycles and three counts of importing vehicles requiring modification.
The court heard the alleged offences took place in Launceston and Frankston, Victoria between April and May last year.
The matters follow an eight-month New South Wales police investigation, which resulted in Mr Smith being charged with four counts of fraud and one count of dealing in proceeds of crime in July last year.
NSW detectives alleged Mr Smith and his Launceston general manager Toby Wilkin had a joint criminal enterprise that saw up to 85 ST-250 model motorcycles “rebirthed” and resold.
The operation saw police raid the company’s Launceston, Hobart and Melbourne stores, seizing a number of items including a punch stamp set, compliance labels, computers, and documentation.
It is understood the matters will be heard in the NSW District Court next year.
Facing the new charges against his company, Mr Smith told Launceston Magistrate Sharon Cure on Tuesday he was being represented by interstate lawyers who were still waiting for a full briefing from the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions.
Mr Wilkin was seated in the rear of the court.
Ms Cure was told the CDPP would provide full disclosure to Braaap’s lawyers before Christmas.
Mr Smith did not enter a plea and the matter was adjourned until February 13, 2018.