Dial-a-dealer drug syndicate: Imad Ghanem, Tanya Paraskeva and Hamzeh Naboulsi to face sentence
Two Sydney men and a woman involved in a dial-a-dealer syndicate sent out ‘special promotions’ for $200-300 bags of cocaine to hundreds of customers in a “sophisticated” operation across Sydney’s west.
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Two men and a woman involved in a dial-a-dealer syndicate that sent out “special promotions” for bags of cocaine to hundreds of customers across Sydney’s west will soon face sentencing.
Imad Ghanem, 26, Tanya Paraskeva, 27, and Hamzeh Naboulsi, 27, all from Greenacre, faced Burwood Local Court for their sentence hearing on Wednesday.
The trio were arrested in 2018 following a specialist police squad investigation. Police facts tendered to court state customers would get in contact with how many bags of cocaine they wanted, costing between $200 to 300 each, then a driver would be allocated to meet up and exchange drugs for cash.
Court papers revealed the syndicate had more than 350 customers and sent out text messages promoting “specials” each month.
Paraskeva wept as her lawyer Ms Tuoomey told the court she was in a relationship with one of the men, and had offered her place be used for packaging the illicit drugs.
“She made a phone call and in that call she organised a dial-a-dealer supply of illegal drugs,” she said.
Paraskeva, who worked as a barista receiving $1400 per fortnight, used a mobile to coordinate the supply of cocaine to a customer on Pitt St on December 2, 2018.
In a phone call to the male customer she said, “Can you come outside please?” according to police facts. “I am outside, I’m here at Angel Place on Pitt St,” he replied.
“Where did Angel Place come from Omgosh Jesus Christ? Didn’t you tell me the corner of Martin Place and Pitt St,” Paraskeva said before the call ended.
A police search in Paraskeva’s home two-and-a-half weeks later found $12,045 in cash, resealable bags containing white powder, scales, a drug ledger, laptop and mobiles, police facts state.
Between October and December 2018, she made “numerous cash deposits” totalling $11,080 at ATMS across Sydney’s west.
“The value of deposits ranged from $200-2500 with some deposits well in excess of the accused’s fortnightly wage,” the facts stated.
The court heard Paraskeva was on an ICO when she “relapsed”.
Ms Tuoomey told the court Paraskeva has since undergone “significant rehabilitation,” her offences were at the “low to mid end” and that an ICO would be appropriate.
Meanwhile, Ghanem - a plumber living with his wife and child - had previously been on an ICO for drug supply.
After a police search warrant executed on December 20, 2018, bags filled with satchels of cocaine were found. One of the bags containing 10 satchels, totalling six grams of cocaine and contained Ghanem’s DNA, police facts stated.
His lawyer Elias Tabchouri told the court the 26-year-old only helped “bag” the drugs, and asked for an ICO to be considered.
“He attends one night, he is using cocaine and assists in the bagging,” he told the court.
“That has to be on the outer limits of supply.”
The third co-accused Naboulsi sat quietly in court wearing jeans and a grey hoodie as his lawyer revealed he was a new father with a 15-month-old son.
“In discussions he (Naboulsi) told me ‘I screwed this up. My boy. I don’t want to leave him,’” his lawyer said.
During his defence submissions Mr Tabchouri, who also represented Naboulsi, said the defendant’s actions were at the “lower end” and involved a “small amount” of drugs.
He urged the Magistrate to consider the fact Naboulsi had been on bail for almost 18 months and not reoffended.
Police prosecutor, Mr Ionita said there was a “degree of sophistication” involved in the drug supply.
He said the prosecution could possibly accept an ICO and rehabilitation for Naboulsi, but the same would be difficult for Paraskeva and Ghanem given they were already on corrections orders when they became involved in the syndicate.
Ghanem has pleaded guilty to supplying cocaine while Paraskeva pleaded guilty to dealing with the property proceeds of crime and knowingly taking part in supplying cocaine.
Naboulsi pleaded guilty to supplying cocaine, participating in a criminal group and possessing prohibited drugs.
Magistrate Margaret McGlynn stood down the matters with bail continued for all three co-accused.
They will return to court in June for sentence.