Alleged Sydney chief of billion dollar crime syndicate bailed
A suspected lieutenant in a billion-dollar crime syndicate – allegedly commanded by infamous gang member Bilal Haouchar from his hideout in Lebanon – discussed setting up a drug lab and obtaining massive amounts of cocaine, a court has heard.
Fadi El Zebdeh, 43, was released on bail after a hearing in the NSW Supreme Court on Tuesday and will return to his family home in Yagoona almost one month after he was arrested by NSW Police.
For the first time it can be revealed police convinced an unnamed person from inside the sprawling criminal empire to provide evidence against El Zebdeh and other alleged gangsters.
El Zebdeh was one of 24 people arrested in mid-November when 400 police swept across Sydney carrying out search warrants under Strike Force Tromperie, which was targeting alleged members of a massive crime empire, stretching from Lebanon to Sydney, that used guns and kidnappings to keep their hold on Australia’s drug market, police said last month.
Authorities in Lebanon had already grabbed the syndicate’s suspected chief, Bilal Haouchar, while his brother Nedal was arrested allegedly trying to board a flight at Sydney’s international airport.
K Nedal Haouchar was charged with two counts of large commercial cocaine supply and dealing with millions of dollars which are the suspected proceeds of crime.
El Zebdeh was charged with large commercial supply of methamphetamine oil, which is used in the production of the drug ice.
Justice Natalie Adams SC said El Zebdeh was alleged to be a “senior member of an organised crime entity who had recently travelled to Lebanon”.
The pair allegedly discussed setting up a drug manufacturing lab and, on one occasion, El Zebdeh allegedly asked the other gangster to source a kilogram of cocaine, Justice Adams said.
participant”
The court heard police had flipped the “civilian participant who had spoken to El Zebdeh, and they were expected to provide evidence for the prosecution.
“After [El Zebdeh] travelled to Lebanon in June, he remained in contact with the civilian participant, and it is alleged ... [El Zebdeh] liaised and had the amounts of 681 and 144.5 grams of liquid methamphetamine supplied.”
El Zebdeh’s barrister, Ertunç Özen SC, told the court his client’s family had put up their home, valued at $1.5 million, which they would lose if he failed to appear in court.
Police allege El Zebdeh directed three other gang members, who have yet to be charged, and had contact with “the head of this operation” Bilal Haouchar while in Lebanon.
“The spectre of Bilal Haouchar hangs over this set of facts without any assertion or evidence that Mr Haouchar was directing traffic,” Özen told the court.
“Even if it could be established this man has some acquaintance with Mr Haouchar it is quite another thing to allege [El Zebdeh] is part of some criminal network under the directorship of Mr Haouchar.”
El Zebdeh’s wife, in a statement to the court, said her husband had gone to Lebanon to care for his sick father.
Police told the court they were concerned El Zebdeh could flee back to Lebanon and could interfere with witnesses.
Özen told the court there was no evidence El Zebdeh was a drug kingpin. Further, if the Sydney father was as “connected” as they claim – he would likely have access to the networks and power that could put witnesses at risk, whether he was in prison or not.
The court heard El Zebdeh has a very limited criminal history, all from a decade ago or more, which included destroying property, driving issues and breaching a domestic violence order.
Justice Adams bailed El Zebdeh to live at his family home in Yagoona, and must return to court in January.
Nedal Haouchar was also bailed on Tuesday. He must wear an electronic ankle monitor.
