Elie Khoury, alleged criminal gang ‘kingpin’ facing money laundering and drug charges
The identity of an alleged criminal gang “kingpin” linked to the Virginia raid last week – suspected to have laundered up to $20 million and dealt in similar values of drugs – can be revealed.
North & North East
Don't miss out on the headlines from North & North East. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The “kingpin” of an alleged $20 million money laundering and drug dealing gang raided at Virginia last week can be revealed as Elie Khoury.
Khoury, 33, of Wynn Vale, was this week granted home detention bail on charges of money laundering, drug trafficking and dishonestly dealing with property.
But prosecutor John Mattner – who alleged Khoury was the “kingpin” of the gang – told the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday that he was likely to be recharged in a month with being a member of a criminal organisation.
Police are also likely to challenge the home detention.
It followed the arrest of Peter John Stevens – allegedly a member of the same gang – and his parents at Virginia last week.
Police raided their property and say they found a massive haul of drugs, illegal firearms and vehicles.
On Friday, Mr Mattner told the court that police were investigating Khoury’s alleged gang for laundering between $4 million and $20 million, as well as trafficking methamphetamine and cannabis of a similar value.
He said police had to analyse 700 videos seized from Khoury’s phone and transcribe intercepted telephone calls dating back as far as November last year.
On Tuesday, Mr Mattner told the court 11 people were believed to be members of the gang and will be charged with being members of a criminal organisation.
Khoury was arrested on September 21 and is currently facing 12 charges of money laundering, two counts of trafficking in a commercial quantity of drugs and one count of dishonestly dealing with property without consent.
He is alleged to have committed the offences between July 19 last year and September 21 this year.
The court heard Khoury was on parole for drug trafficking offences, for which he was sentenced in February last year, at the time of his arrest.
Despite being in custody, his parole has not yet been officially revoked as he has yet to be interviewed for alleged breaches of his parole conditions.
Magistrate Koula Kossiavelos granted Khoury bail because, she said, she could not take into account his alleged leadership of a criminal organisation until he had been charged.
Mr Mattner sought a stay of release pending review, meaning Khoury will remain in custody while police consider appealing his home detention.
Charge determination is set for mid next year.