EXCLUSIVE
A former Sydney property developer jailed for an attempt to smuggle $85 million worth of cocaine into Australia has been quietly granted an early release from prison.
Matthew James Doyle, 35, was sentenced to a minimum of five years behind bars in 2020 after pleading guilty to commercial drug supply and handling the proceeds of crime.
Doyle became involved in a plot to smuggle drugs into Australia while speaking to undercover police officers in the US, the New South Wales District Court previously heard.
He was arrested in 2019 while waiting to collect what he thought was a shipment of up to 300kg of cocaine from a warehouse in Marrickville.
Having served his time in custody, Doyle was not due to be released until September 4, 2024, and an earlier appeal to have his sentence reduced was dismissed by the court.
But the father-of-one has returned to his home in a bayside suburb in Sydney’s south in recent weeks, months before he was expected to be released.
Matthew Doyle quietly released from jail early, subject to parole conditions
Matthew Doyle (left, with wife Kelsea) pleaded guilty to supplying a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug.
Under the conditions of his probation, he can only leave his home in Burraneer, Sutherland County, to work, exercise or attend medical appointments.
He is also under a strict curfew and is prohibited from all alcohol and illicit drugs.
He and his wife Kelsea now hope to revive their relationship and raise their son after the years Doyle spent behind bars.
Neighbors say the couple has kept a low profile at their $2.5 million mansion, which was previously the subject of a proceeds of crime request.
The flash couple drive luxury vehicles, including a late-model Range Rover and a souped-up two-door Fiat 500 Italian sports car that Doyle was seen driving back from the gym on Wednesday.
A tracking device could be seen taped to his left ankle, hidden by a sweatband, as Doyle arrived at his luxury home.
It is not known if he intends to resume his property developer career, but he has told friends that in the meantime he will work for his family’s car detailing business.
Ms Doyle was also seen without her wedding ring while running errands on Wednesday, including a trip to an upscale florist in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
Matthew Doyle went to great lengths to cover his ankle tracking device with a sweatband.
Kelsea Doyle visited an eastern suburbs flower shop on Wednesday
Kelsea Doyle seen packing up her luxury vehicle with a luxurious bouquet
The mother of one was seen admiring a couple of photos from her 2018 wedding.
The couple married in a lavish harborside ceremony in 2018.
Since they married in 2018, Doyle has spent most of his married life behind bars.
However, the devoted wife has always promised to support her husband and even keeps him close with a photo from the wedding day as her phone wallpaper.
‘It has been an extremely tough 12 months for our family. “I’m grateful it’s over,” Ms. Doyle said after being sentenced in 2020.
“I would love to be left alone to continue caring for my son and supporting my husband and I would appreciate it if the media finally gave me some privacy.”
Before being jailed, the couple were building a booming property portfolio that included their luxury home and a prestigious residential apartment block in Cronulla.
His assets, which also included shares in 16 companies and luxury cars, have now been frozen by the New South Wales Crime Commission and he was served with a bankruptcy notice by Doyle’s former lawyer, Robert Kaufmann, last year. claiming he was owed more than $184,000 in legal fees. .
Undercover police had posed as drug dealers while Doyle and his accomplices attempted to smuggle cocaine into Australia.
Detectives had recorded conversations with Doyle since April 2019.
In one recording, Doyle stated that he was “not a gangster but a businessman and he loved money and he loved making money for people and making friends.”
