Barry Calverley appeared to have it all - a successful career, country estate ... trends now
EXCLUSIVE
Barry Calverley appeared to have it all - a beautiful wife, country estate, three successful daughters and a career spanning decades in the mining industry.
He had worked in India, Singapore and West Africa on gas and oil projects for resources giants including Shell, Exxon Mobil, BHP and Santos.
He also worked from the Bass Strait to the Pilbara in his home state of Western Australia, and earned up to $2,000 a day.
Mr Calverley was well-respected and 'impressive' according to a friend who also works in the business of safety consultancy for high-risk mining sites.
His friend was 'flabbergasted' to learn this week that Mr Calverley, 68, is now sitting in a jail cell accused of drug trafficking after being arrested three months ago for allegedly smuggling 5kg of heroin from South East Asia through Customs in a camping bag.
Barry Calverley (above) with daughter Harriet was a well-respected mining industry consultant with a country estate who now is locked up in a jail cell on drug importation charges which carry a penalty of life imprisonment
Respected mining industry consultant Barry Calverley (above) had a successful career, property and a loving family but the Western Australian grandfather is now in a jail cell accused of drug trafficking heroin from Laos via Vietnam
Barry Calverley and his wife owned this horse riding property in a picturesque valley of old-growth forests, orchards and vineyards near the Margaret River wine region
On Wednesday, Mr Calverley's eldest daughter Harriet was at his court hearing after making a mercy dash from Perth to Sydney to see her father.
In a failed bail application, the court was told that Harriet would be prepared to live with her father, who is in the maximum security Macquarie Correctional Centre at Wuuluman 350km northwest of Sydney, in NSW should the magistrate release him from custody as he awaits further hearings.
'He is at great risk in the prison system,' his lawyer told the court, and if not granted bail 'at his age risks a very early demise'.
THE ARREST
Mr Calverley was arrested at Sydney International Airport after it is believed he flew back from Laos via Hanoi, Vietnam on the afternoon of January 24.
Australian Border Force officers examined a green bag containing a camping chair as part of Mr Calverley's baggage and allegedly found 5kg of heroin.
The Australian Federal Police said the 'large quantity of heroin... would have been enough for 25,000 street deals with an estimated street value of $2.25 million.'
The court heard that via WhatsApp communications with a man name 'Privham', Mr Calverley had been promised US$7.2million (AUD$11million) 'to pick up documents' and that he had travelled to Laos and met up in a hotel to do so.
At the hotel he was asked 'to take a little gift' in a camping bag as well as the documents back to Australia. Mr Calverley admitted it was suspicious and that he would not have agreed to take anything illegal.
Barry and Jocelyn Calverley have three daughters including Harriet (centre) who were privately educated and
