Adelaide gym owner among eight arrested over drug running syndicate

Steven Jadon, reported as being the franchisee of a number of Body Fit Training (BFT) gyms across Adelaide, is among eight men arrested and charged over an alleged drug ring worth millions of dollars.

South Australian Police last week swooped on 13 properties across the Adelaide suburbs, making the arrests and seizing luxury vehicles, $370,000 in cash and drugs with a street value of $1m.

As reported by 7News and the Adelaide Advertiser, the arrests also included the owners of a Gawler barbershop.

Jadon who also plays for the Modbury Jets football club in the South Australian State League 1, was last week charged with two counts of money laundering, trafficking in a commercial quantity of drugs, two of diverting electricity from a power system and one of possessing prescribed equipment in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court.

Charges against others arrested included counts of money laundering, trafficking a commercial quantity of drugs and growing cannabis crops.

SA Police are alleging those arrested were involved in an elaborate drug running operation between South Australia, NSW and Queensland advising that the arrests came after a 12-month investigation.

They also allege seizing a large amount of hydroponic equipment and  cannabis plants during the arrests.

As of Monday, Jadon and another man were granted home detention bail in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court while, on Tuesday, Matthew Newall, the alleged kingpin of the enterprise was remanded in custody at least April.

Images: 200kg of dried cannabis was seized during raids at 13 Adelaide properties last week (top, credit: SAPOL) and Steven Jadon, understood to be the franchisee of a number of Body Fit Training sites, was among those arrested (below, credit: TikTok).