Michael Jabbour jailed for drug dealing at Old Reynella winery

Birthday celebrations at an Old Reynella winery ended in an arrest after staff began to suspect a couple were dealing drugs.

A young couple’s plan to use a birthday celebration to make money quickly went awry after staff became suspicious of them.
Michael Jabbour, 31, was running the drug enterprise alongside his partner at the time, Alysha Frencken, to fund their habits.

The Adelaide District Court heard Jabbour and Frencken were staying in a room at the St Francis Winery at Old Reynella in August 2020.

“Staff from the winery made various observations about you and two other males in the gaming area who appeared to be spending large amounts of money,” Judge Emily Telfer said during sentencing.

“The staff member also received information from a member of the public about drug dealing.”

CCTV footage revealed there had been frequent visits to Jabbour’s room by people who were not staying there.

Police arrived and searched Jabbour and found methamphetamine and a tick list on him.

They then searched the room and found Frencken who told police there was “juice” in the room and she had a couple of “baggies” in her handbag.

Police found 108g of GHB, also known as fantasy, plastic resealable bags and tick lists.

Jabbour pleaded guilty to multiple counts of drug trafficking.

Michael Jabbour and Alysha Frencken were sentenced for drug trafficking. Picture: Facebook

The court heard Jabbour, who had previously worked in mobile telephone repairs, was introduced to methamphetamine at 23.

“You have for a long time been a reserved person in social settings and you came to use illicit drugs to reduce your social tension and increase your confidence,” Judge Telfer said.

“At the time of this offending you were using illicit drugs on a regular basis and you had developed a dependency.”

The court heard Jabbour and Frencken attended the St Francis winery as part of a birthday celebration to use some of the drugs and sell some.

Frencken, who pleaded guilty to three counts of drug trafficking, was sentenced in December for her role in the offending.

“Judge Press concluded that Ms Frencken’s motivation was primarily funding the drug habit that you and she had, although of course the profit did also fund your accommodation and some of your life expenses,” Judge Telfer said.

Judge Telfer sentenced Jabbour to three years and four months jail, with a non-parole period of one year and eight months.