Five men arrested over dial-a-dealer coke ring
A dial-a-dealer cocaine ring allegedly distributing the party drug across Sydney has been dismantled by police after a sting in the inner west.
NSW
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Five men allegedly operating a cocaine drug ring across a string of Sydney suburbs have been arrested as part of a police sting targeting a dial-a-dealer crime syndicate.
Two men - both aged 23 - were arrested around lunchtime on Thursday following a vehicle stop in Ashfield, and two of the five men have asked the courts to be released on bail.
During a search of the vehicle, police found $1050 cash and a stash of cocaine on a male passenger.
A short time later, strike force investigators, with assistance from Bass Hill officers and search dogs, raided a unit and garage on Alt Street, Ashfield.
During the search, officers seized mobile phones, a knife and equipment consistent with the supply of prohibited drug as well as some cocaine.
Batuhan Ocak, the 23-year-old driving the vehicle, was taken to Burwood Police Station and charged with supply prohibited drug, deal with property proceeds of crime and possess prohibited drug.
He was one of two defendants to front Burwood Local Court on March 20. Still wearing the white Adidas shirt and yellow shorts from his arrest, he was escorted to the dock by police.
His father sat in the gallery, occasionally struggling to fight back tears.
His defence lawyer, who filed an application for his release, described the case against him as ‘speculative’.
“I’d like Mr Ocak to look at his dad and see what he’s doing to him,” his lawyer said. “He’s very emotional at the moment.”
The prosecution opposed Ocak’s bail claiming he previously served an intensive corrections order for similar offences last year.
The defence lawyer said the offence occurred in November.
“I think he was caught with about six bags (of cocaine),” his defence lawyer said. “These matters before the court wouldn’t be said to carry a custodial sentence.”
Magistrate Susan Horan took into consideration the unique circumstances the COVID-19 coronavirus is placing on the courts.
She granted Ocak bail with strict conditions intended to hedge the risks he allegedly poses to the community.
“Given the current environment we are in, there are concessions made,” she said.
“You are playing with fire here. If you come back before the court for like offences or breach your bail, you might find yourself … in full time jail.”
Ocak’s lawyer entered pleas of ‘not guilty’ to all three charges. He is scheduled to return to Burwood Court on April 17.
His passenger was issued with a future court attendance notice for the charge of possess prohibited drug.
Police also arrested Stephen Fifita, a 26-year-old man at his home in Campsie. He presented to Burwood Court House today charged with supply prohibited drug.
Fifita, a married man with two children below the age of five, is already dealing with similar charges before the courts.
His legal aid lawyer filed an application for his release citing the gap in his criminal record since 2014.
The prosecution said he was already on bail and opposed his release.
Magistrate Horan said the risks could be overcome “in the current climate”.
“I’m going to give him bail, but strengthen the bail conditions ever so slightly,” she said.
She looked to Fifita in the dock and addressed him directly.
“Now you’ve got two similar matters before the court … if you come to court with a third similar matter you won’t get bail.”
His case was adjourned for March 25 at Manly Local Court.
A 19-year-old man was arrested at a home in Cabramatta and charged with supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis and four counts of supply prohibited drug.
He was granted strict conditional bail and is scheduled to appear at Liverpool Local on April 8.