Alleged drug trafficking mastermind Elie Khoury granted release on strict home detention bail conditions

The alleged mastermind of an interstate drug and money laundering syndicate has been granted bail but banned from the net – unless he’s watching TV.

An alleged drug kingpin accused of masterminding a drug trafficking and money laundering syndicate has been granted home detention bail – 12 months after first being taken into custody.

Elie Khoury, 34, of Wynn Vale appeared via video in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Wednesday where he was granted release on strict home detention bail conditions.

Alleged money laundering and drug king pin Elie Khoury. Image: Facebook

He was arrested on September 21, 2020 and is yet to enter pleas to five counts of trafficking a large commercial quantity of a controlled drug and two counts of money laundering.

On Wednesday, Director of Public Prosecutions, Martin Hinton QC, said the bail application was not opposed if Mr Khoury agreed to a list of strict conditions.

Those conditions included that he be electronically monitored and only be permitted visits from a specified list of immediate family members.

Mr Hinton asked the court impose a condition Mr Khoury not access the internet, except via the television for the purpose of accessing streaming services.

He must only own an analogue phone not capable of internet access.

Mr Khoury has been further banned from contacting any of his multiple co-accused. The bail agreement also includes two guarantors in the amount of $10,000 each.

Previously, Michael Abbott QC, for Mr Khoury, told the court his client could languish in prison for as long as three years before his matter reached a “mammoth” trial.

He said that trial was unlikely to occur before the second half of 2023.

“The time has come for this man to get bail,” he had said.

The court has previously been told that Mr Khoury is the brains behind a criminal syndicate which laundered $4 million through online sports betting accounts – at a rate of about $100,00 per week. It is alleged the syndicate operated between Adelaide and Sydney.

It has also heard police would analyse 700 videos seized from Mr Khoury’s phone and transcribe telephone intercepts dating back to November 2019.

The alleged offences allegedly occurred between May 2020 and September 2020.

Magistrate Simon Smart granted Mr Khoury home detention bail. He, and his co-accused, are next scheduled to appear in court in December.