Alleged female drug ring leader arrested by Middle Eastern Organised Crime squad
ALINA Antal, a petite 29-year-old blonde who has a soft spot for pet rabbits is the unlikely head of a large-scale Sydney drug ring, police allege.
NSW
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A PETITE young blonde who has a soft spot for pet rabbits is the unlikely head of a Sydney drug ring, police allege.
Alina Antal, 29, appeared in the dock at Liverpool Local Court accused of directing a criminal group and recruiting teenagers to allegedly distribute cannabis in southwest Sydney.
She was one of 10 people charged following co-ordinated raids on seven homes in Cabramatta, Fairfield, Elizabeth Hills and Smithfield. Four men and three boys, two aged 17 and one aged 15, were also arrested. Another two men, aged 18 and 26, who are in custody accused of other offences, were also charged in relation to the drug raids.
Antal, who has posted photos of herself on Facebook cuddling a floppy-eared rabbit, is facing five charges including supply prohibited drug, direct criminal group and recruit child to carry out/assist criminal activity.
Following the raids, Detective Chief Inspector Mark Newham from the Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad said the arrests were “just the tip of the iceberg.”
The raids followed an investigation by MEOCS into tit-for-tat violence, including fire bombings and shootings, between feuding Assyrian gangs. While investigating those crimes, MEOCS became aware of a suspected cannabis network allegedly headed by Antal.
During the raids, investigators seized cannabis, cash, mobile phones, SIM cards, clothing, and drug paraphernalia. Officers spent several hours examining Antal’s home on Wilco Avenue Cabramatta West even breaking into a van parked in the driveway of the house.
In court, Antal said she wanted to apply for bail even though her lawyer had not yet arrived saying, “I have no choice I’m a single person.” But she decided to withdrew her application after speaking to a Legal Aid lawyer.
Another co-accused Andrew Koro, 25, appeared in custody at Liverpool Local Court and was granted bail. Police decided not to oppose Koro’s bail after he agreed to strict conditions including reporting to police daily and a 8pm to 6am curfew.
However, last night the 25-year-old remained in custody because he had not yet met all his bail conditions.
At Fairfield Local Court three more members of the alleged drug gang were granted bail on strict conditions including orders that they only possess one mobile phone each, surrender passports and comply with a night curfew.
Yousif Kiorkis, 18, of Fairfield, Korkis Sefo, 20, of Fairfield Heights and Romario Patto, 18, had their cases adjourned to Burwood Local Court in March. Antal and Koro had their cases adjourned to April at Campbelltown Local Court.
Chief Inspector Newham said MEOCS was working closely with police across the South West Metropolitan Region to not only reduce the availability of drugs, but also suppress associated crime.
“Investigators have already put a number of people before the courts for a variety of offences, and there are more (drug-related) arrests to come,” he said. “Anyone who has been involved in these activities should come forward now before we come for you.”
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