Chef Ibrahim Abbas admits to cannabis trafficking scheme with debt-ridden yogi Darren Stephen Brown

A veteran Adelaide chef has confessed to some, but not all, charges arising from his role in a cannabis-smuggling scheme – meaning he must still stand trial.

A veteran Adelaide chef has admitted participating in a cross-country cannabis trafficking scheme with a debt-ridden yoga instructor and a “desperate” father – but denies cultivating all of the dope.

In the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Thursday, Ibrahim Abbas confessed to three charges arising from a $137,000 drug scheme busted by police.

He pleaded guilty to trafficking in a large commercial quantity of a controlled drug and to possessing prescribed equipment.

Ibrahim Abbas, the restaurateur accused of involvement in a large-scale cannabis syndicate, pictured leaving the Magistrates Court. Picture: NCA NewsWire

However, Abbas denied he had cultivated a controlled plant, pleading guilty instead to the lesser charge of cultivating more than the prescribed number of cannabis plants.

Prosecutors refused to accept that plea – meaning Abbas now faces a District Court trial over that charge.

Abbas, 64, of Flagstaff Hill, was arrested along with Darren Stephen Brown, 47, of Queensland and Adam Turner, 41, of Victoria, following a joint operation by SA and Queensland Police.

Brown and Turner admitted they were caught in possession of 21.1kg of cannabis worth $136,584, as well as $7409 in cash.

Brown, a longtime friend of Abbas who offended to fund his struggling Gold Coast Bikram yoga studio, is serving a four-year prison term.

Darren Stephen Brown, a Queensland yoga instructor who has pleaded guilty to cannabis trafficking in a case that allegedly involves Adelaide chef Ibrahim Abbas. Picture: Facebook

Turner, whose motive was to pay a “maxxed out” credit card debt incurred by funding IVF treatments for his wife, was jailed for 27 months.

Prosecutors had alleged Abbas was caught with eight cannabis plants being grown hydroponically, industrial-grade heat-sealing machines and $12,500 cash.

In February, Abbas – a professional chef with a 42-year career, a wife, a $28,000 mortgage and a knee requiring surgical reconstruction – said he was seeking a plea bargain.

On Thursday, Abbas was remanded on continuing bail to face the District Court in August, when a trial date will be set.