Alleged Illawarra drug dealer Feras Abdul-Hamid enters plea to new charge

A Berkeley man has denied an allegation he breached bail conditions after he found away from the drug rehab centre he was ordered to attend.

Feras Abdul-Hamid entered a plea in Wollongong Local Court on Monday.

An alleged Illawarra drug baron has pleaded not guilty to breaching his bail after he was found away from the drug rehab centre he was ordered to attend.

Feras Abdul-Hamid, 41, was denied bail in Wollongong Local Court last month, before his matter was mentioned in the same jurisdiction on Monday where his legal representative entered a not guilty plea to the fresh charge.

The Berkeley man did not apply for bail with the matter to return to court in February.

Abdul-Hamid was arrested last July along with his wife Suzanna Ristevska following an investigation into an alleged meth and heroin ring operating between the Illawarra and Sydney.

Abdul-Hamid was charged with commercial drug supply, dealing with the proceeds of crime and participating in a criminal group.

He was granted bail in Supreme Court in June to attend a full-time 12-month residential drug rehabilitation program in the Richmond area.

After his arrest, the court heard last month from Abdul-Hamid’s lawyer Emel Ozer who said her client told her he was allowed to leave the rehabilitation centre.

She asked if Abdul-Hamid could be released on the same bail conditions as given in the Supreme Court with the addition of a 24-hour curfew and to live with his parents at Cringila.

However the registrar noted Abdul-Hamid had been on bail for six months but refused to grant bail, pointing out his criminal history.

Feras Abdul-Hamid and his wife Suzanna Ristevska. Picture: Facebook

During the Supreme Court bail hearing, Abdul-Hamid’s lawyer said his client was self-employed in a hardware business and was on government welfare at the time of his alleged drug supply.

The court heard Abdul-Hamid allegedly sold drugs between May and July 2021 from his Berkeley home which he allegedly operated as a drug premises.

Police allegedly found freezer bags containing drugs under the dashboard of his Toyota HiLux vehicle as well as 39.43g of heroin, another 2.33g of heroin and 3.74g of meth.

It is further alleged Abdul-Hamid dealt with the proceeds of crime after raids uncovered more than $28,000 in cash at the home.

He is yet to enter pleas.

Ristevska was jailed for three-years with a non-parole period of one year and nine months for her role in running a drug operation from home.

She pleaded guilty to two counts of supplying an indictable quantity of drugs, participating in a criminal group, knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime and organising or conducting or assisting a drug premise.

Abdul-Hamid’s case was adjourned to January 9.