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Uncle and nephew in blame game over alleged ‘sophisticated drug network’

By Clare Sibthorpe

Nabil Allouche exited his white Toyota RAV4 at a western Sydney McDonald’s car park, holding a box of Aldi-bought chicken crinkle “snakos”.

Inside the box, police allege, was a blue plastic bag containing half a kilogram of MDMA, which Allouche is accused of handing to a man in exchange for $20,000.

Sam Amine has been charged with a raft of drug supply offences.

Sam Amine has been charged with a raft of drug supply offences.Credit: Fiji Police Media

Content creator Allouche had just been to a “TikTok workshop” in Rhodes and stopped off at Mcdonald’s in Greenacre for the drug supply before reporting back to his uncle, Sam Amine, in Sans Souci.

That’s according to police, who allege the $20,000 deal was one of several done between February and May by members of an “organised and sophisticated drug network,” which they say includes 25-year-old NRL player Brandon Wakeham.

Police allege Amine organised the supply of MDMA, cocaine and a gun to an undercover police officer on six dates, using encrypted application Threema and arranging for Allouche or Wakeham to deliver the drugs.

In one instance detailed in court documents, Amine arranged for the sale of 1 kilogram of MDMA for $40,000 which was left in a grey Volvo V60.

Nabil Allouche.

Nabil Allouche.Credit: Instagram

Amine and Allouche allegedly worked closely together throughout their tight-knit operation, with the latter living in a granny flat behind his uncle’s waterfront home.

However, their family bond appears to have suffered since their arrest in May, with a court hearing they’ve pointed their fingers at each other regarding the group’s alleged mastermind.

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“He [Allouche] was at all times acting under the direction of his uncle, Sam Amine,” Allouche’s defence lawyer Ian Lloyd KC told the Supreme Court in a failed bail application last week.

And yet, Justice Mark Ierace told Amine’s barrister Greg James SC that it was clear his client pointed the finger at Allouche.

NRL Blacktown Workers player Brandon Wakeham.

NRL Blacktown Workers player Brandon Wakeham.Credit: NRL

“Yes, whether that’s pointing the finger at him or saying ’I’m not guilty, it’s him,” James responded.

Amine, whom police accuse of directing the drug ring, has not yet entered pleas to seven major supply charges - which carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment - as well as knowingly directing activities of a criminal group and supplying an unregistered pistol.

The 47-year-old owns multiple commercial and residential properties in Australia and abroad and is estimated to be worth more than $10m in New South Wales alone.

Amine was arrested in May at his Sans Souci home, alongside Allouche and Wakeham.

Allouche faces 13 charges including five drug supply offences, participating in a criminal group and supplying an unregistered pistol.

Amine and Allouche were both refused bail at the NSW Supreme Court on Thursday, despite Amine’s family offering a $2.25m surety.

In written submissions opposing bail, the prosecution expressed concern that Amine would continue to commit crimes to fund his lavish lifestyle if he was released on even the strictest bail conditions.

James told the court his client denied taking part in the alleged drug supplies and attributed the handset used to direct the transactions to Allouche.

Crown prosecutor Rosa Sharma told the court Allouche’s role in the syndicate was essential as he met the buyers and did the deals, but Allouche’s lawyer Ian Lloyd KC argued that his client was described as nothing more than Amine’s driver.

Ierace refused Amine bail due to the considerably strong prosecution case and his “strong incentive not to appear” at court when required if released on bail. He refused Allouche bail due to the strong prosecution case.

Wakeham was granted bail in the local court after being charged with two counts of taking part in prohibited drug supply and participating in a criminal group.

The court documents state Amine employed Wakeham to carry out tradework at his property in Kogarah during the period of the alleged drug deals.

Wakeham plays for Blacktown Workers and previously played for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and Wests Tigers.

The NRL suspended Wakeham under the game’s no-fault stand-down policy following his charges.

The three men, who have not entered pleas to the charges, will next face court later this month.

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Original URL: https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/nsw/uncle-and-nephew-in-blame-game-over-alleged-sophisticated-drug-network-20240907-p5k8nu.html