‘The Joker’ returns: Police allege ‘highly organised’ drug ring has been reborn

Police have uncovered a ‘highly organised’ alleged drug ring known as The Joker for the second time, and say it was run like any successful small business, with a central call centre, a sophisticated delivery system and special promotional offers sent to its valued customers via SMS.

It was run like any successful small business operation, with a central call centre, a sophisticated delivery system and special promotional offers sent to its valued customers via SMS.

And when the firm was finally wound up, the name, client list and business model was passed on to new operators.

But don’t imagine some fast-food franchise or popular high street chain store. This was allegedly a sophisticated drug syndicate known as “The Joker” that police claim supplied cocaine to an exclusive list of 1500 customers around Sydney’s CBD.

Heath Ledger as The Joker in Batman.

The strange parallels to the world of legitimate business came to light after police arrested alleged members of a “highly organised” drug supply network estimated to be earning $676,000 a year.

Not only did detectives from Sydney City Police recognise the people on the client list, they also knew The Joker brand name — after all, they had closed down the original syndicate not long before. According to police sources, the name previously belonged to another alleged drug syndicate that had set up the operation and established the customer base.

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But when its members were arrested, it is alleged the name, customer list and operating method were transferred to a new syndicate.

It is not known if the intellectual property was sold for money.

Details of how police claim the operation worked were revealed when alleged syndicate member Ali Salame appeared in Central Local Court on Thursday facing 13 charges, including supplying drugs, directing a criminal group and dealing with the proceeds of crime.

Police told his bail hearing the syndicate “comprised of at least seven members” who performed different roles in “the syndicate’s hierarchy”.

Approved customers would send a text to a central “call centre” phone, placing an order for “tickets” or “pizza” while specifying their location, police claimed.

Police claim ‘The Joker’ supplied cocaine to 1500 customers around Sydney’s CBD. Picture: iStock

The call centre would verify the customer’s phone number against their own database to make sure they were on the approved buyers list. If this checked out, the order was forwarded to a drug “runner” who then drove to the delivery location.

If the customer and runner failed to meet, the mix-up would be sorted out via the call centre.

Police allege Salame, 28, from Bass Hill in Sydney’s southwest, was the main call centre operator and was also known as “The Boss”.

The syndicate was also looking to expand its buyer list, police claimed, sending out promotional messages via text. This included one that allegedly said: “Very Big Special Tickets this weekend. Please book ahead and stay safe. A1 quality Guaranteed. Under improved management and we will get to you quicker.”

Police claimed the syndicate operated seven days a week, supplying 0.7g “deal bags” for $300 each.

Police said five people had been ­arrested by the investigation team known as Strike Force Jeenga.

Salame was granted bail after his barrister John Korn argued his client suffered from severe mental illnesses, including bipolar, that could result in “permanent brain damage” if he was not released to get treatment.

His solicitor Michael Korn said: “We are relieved that he will now be able to seek the help that he desperately needs.”

He is due to appear in the Downing Centre Local Court on May 30.