Paddington pub owner pleads guilty to drug offences
Paddington hotelier Robert Moroney had pleaded guilty to drug charges after he was caught with cocaine.
On 21 November 2021, the 49-year-old publican was caught in possession of cocaine in Darlinghurst after police stopped him in his vehicle.
After searching Moroney, his car and his hotel room on College Street, police seized $1300 cash, mobile phones and 25 grams of cocaine.
In December, Moroney appeared before Downing Centre Local Court where he was granted bail to appear again this year.
On Tuesday, his lawyer entered two guilty pleas on behalf of his client, to supplying a prohibited drug and knowingly dealing with proceeds of crime to the value of $1373.20.
A third charge was withdrawn.
Moroney’s lawyer requested the matter be adjourned until his client is scheduled to appear in the same court for an alleged driving offence, which according to his lawyer was related to other charges.
The adjournment was granted with the accused to due to be sentenced on 11 February.
In 2020, Mr Moroney made headlines when he changed the name of his venue from the Captain Cook hotel to Captain Paddington when the Black Lives Matter movement started to spread worldwide.
In August 2021, the hotel reportedly sold in an off-market deal for $10.5 million.
Irit Jackson, 27th January 2022
