Footy star Nathan Cleary's alleged drug-dealer mate is let out of JAIL to get MARRIED in lavish ceremony just days after he was charged with a string of offences
A last-minute Supreme Court decision has allowed one of NRL star Nathan Cleary's mates to attend his own wedding a day after he was charged with drug offences.
Reece Iaria, 28, was seen outside Sydney's Parklea Correctional Centre two hours before he was set to get married at Pier One at The Rocks on Saturday.
On Friday, Iaria had been taken into custody and charged with 15 drug and money laundering offences following a two-year investigation by NSW Police.
His now wife, Christina Ribeiro, was seen leaving the courtroom in tears after Iaria’s initial bail request was denied the day before their wedding.
However, Iaria's legal representative, Ahmed Dib, was able to secure his client an emergency Supreme Court bail application on Saturday morning.
Iaria was released just hours before his wedding as organisers rushed to ensure everything was still ready to go ahead.
'They've got barbers waiting … and he'll be dressed to impress,' Mr Dib told 7News.
Cleary, a groomsman, was seen enjoying a drink and shaking hands with Iaria at the wedding overlooking the harbour.
A last minute supreme court bail application allowed Reece Iaria, 28, to attend his wedding on Saturday
Iaria is friends with NRL star Nathan Cleary, who was also in attendance at the wedding
Iaria has been charged with 15 counts relating to drug and money laundering offences
Iaria spent Friday night in jail after he was accused of being linked to an organised crime network which handled drug operations and money laundering.
The two-year investigation was led by Strike Force Torino which descended on Iaria's Ladbury Avenue home in Penrith at 6.50am on Thursday.
Cleary bought the property in 2018 and has been renting it out to his friend ever since.
There is no suggestion that any illegal activities ever took place in the house or that Cleary was aware of the allegations against Iaria while Mr Dib also strongly disputes the allegations made against his client.
NSW Police, however, alleged the evidence against Iaria is considerable.
'Following further extensive inquiries ... strike force detectives – with assistance from Raptor Squad and the Dog Squad – executed a search warrant in Penrith,' officers said in a statement.
'At the address, police located and seized electronics including a suspected DECCD, 4 grams of cocaine, testosterone, and 2kg of lidocaine believed to be used in the manufacture of cocaine.
'Hidden inside a golf bag in the garage, police also found a Glock-style gel blaster pistol.'
Iaria was arrested at his Penrith home at 6.50am on Thursday
Iaria has been charged with five counts of supply prohibited drug, three counts of supply prohibited drug and two counts of possess prohibited drug
He is also charged with one count of supply prohibited drug, obtain/attempt to prescribed restricted substance, possess unauthorised prohibited firearm, recklessly deal with proceeds of crime and fail to comply digital evidence access order direction.
His lawyer originally argued for bail conditions which would have prevented Mr Iaria from leaving his parents' home which he was eventually granted.
The police prosecutor had opposed bail but was supportive of Mr Iaria being released for his wedding day.
Iaria is the 10th person to have been charged by Strike Force Torino.
The case is set to return to court in April.
