Sydney drug syndicate allegedly used Facebook vegetable sales page to sell products

A LUCRATIVE Sydney drug ring run by a group of French students allegedly used a bogus Facebook page advertising vegetable sales to ply its trade.

Police have arrested eight people following a five-month investigation into an alleged drug distribution ring in Sydney. Picture: Police Media

A LUCRATIVE Sydney drug ring run by a group of French students allegedly used a bogus Facebook page advertising vegetable sales to ply its trade.

Eight people were arrested on Friday following a five-month Surry Hills Region Enforcement Squad investigation into the supply of MDMA, cannabis, cocaine and LSD around the city.

Police allege hundreds of thousands of dollars passed through the syndicate, which a group of French nationals on student visas operated.

It will be alleged the syndicate’s runners advertised drug sales on a Facebook page titled “Vegetables Australia”.

One of the men arrested and later charged over alleged drug activity. Picture: Police Media

One of the women arrested as part of the raids. Picture: Police Media

The page, which police allege was used by dealers around the country, used the names of vegetables as code words for drugs.

Capsicums referred to MDMA caps, broccoli to cannabis and light salad dressing to LSD.

Florian Chamon, 23, is accused of supplying large amounts of drugs for the syndicate.

Police allege drug orders were made via messaging app “Wickr” and runners would meet customers on the street.

It is alleged Chamon used the proceeds of crime to buy a “French Kiss” creperie in Sydney, which he worked at part-time.

He appeared briefly in Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday after being charged with a string of offences, including commercial drug supply.

Bail was not applied for and the case was adjourned to Central Local Court on April 12.

“A release application will be made next week,” Chamon’s lawyer Simon Joyner said outside court.

Other Frenchmen caught up in the drug sting on Friday were 44-year-old Mourad Hannachi, 24-year-old Damien Masset and 26-year-old Kevin Binachi.

None of the men made applications for bail and all cases were adjourned to Central Local Court on April 12.

Sweeping raids in Haymarket, Darlinghurst and Tamarama on Friday allegedly uncovered one kilogram of various drugs and $235,000 in cash.

A 27-year-old man was charged with drug possession but released on bail.

Three other people, including a 25-year-old woman, were arrested on Friday and released without charge.

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