The Stoccos by Nino Bucci

Author:Nino Bucci
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781760143374
Publisher: Penguin Random House Australia

That September was the driest month in the region for almost two and a half years, with less than four millimetres of rain falling. It was the driest September for eight years. But it was not oppressively hot, with an average temperature of only 21 degrees, and no day warmer than 28.

This was ideal weather for work, which is exactly what the Stoccos were at Pinevale to do. Neither was thrilled with his predicament; they had felt as if they had little choice but to accept the offer, given Gino’s new status as a high-profile fugitive, and did not enjoy being involved in growing cannabis. Both men had claimed to have never taken illicit drugs – Gino said he had never even had a cigarette, let alone a joint. Mark later said the pair had known they would be growing cannabis when they went to Pinevale, but Gino seemed to indicate that they were talked into it once they got there, and planned to only stay a short time, using it as a hideout. Gino had also claimed they had ‘traded their way’ on to the property with stolen guns. Either way – and, given Gino’s relationship with the truth, I’m more inclined to believe Mark’s account – the pair did as they always did: worked to earn their keep.

Mark and Gino stayed with Rosario in one of the houses on the property, and the owner, during his spasmodic visits, stayed in the other. The Stoccos and Rosario, or ‘Ross’, ate together most nights. Perhaps, at some point, Gino and Rosario, who were ten years apart, discussed all they had in common: both were Italian and spoke the language, or at least a dialect, both had grandchildren they wished to see more, both had been divorced, and both had long been on the wrong side of the law and watched their only sons similarly stray.

Their days were filled with odd jobs, some more clearly linked to the crop than others. The Stoccos helped set up an irrigation system, performed electrical work and built a pergola, along with doing general cleaning and maintenance. Gino, Mark said, fixed a television and some sliding doors, and installed a bypass wire that would allow them to use diesel on the property. Work on the crop included stirring a mixture of chicken manure and dirt into pots, and cutting and bagging the dried cannabis.

In mid-September, Mark would later tell police, a man whom he described as being in charge came to the property with the property owner to harvest a crop. Given the timing, it must have been planted in July, at the latest. About seven kilograms of marijuana – probably worth almost $70 000 – was taken to Sydney soon after this point.

Also around this time, the Stoccos went away for about four days. It was probably the last week of September; Mark told police later he thought he had been there about three weeks when they decided to take off for a few days.

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