Tarek Zahed: Comanchero bikie allegedly laundered $1 million

A sergeant-at-arms of the Comanchero gang is alleged to have washed dirty money by putting thousands into the pokies and channelling almost $1m into family members’ bank accounts in order to satisfy his penchant for Gucci bags and pink fluffy Louis Vuitton slippers.

Zahed’s goods were seized after police alleged he had laundered more than $1 million.

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One of the state’s most notorious bikies allegedly orchestrated the cleaning of dirty money by spending tens of thousands at the pokies and siphoning almost a million dollars in his family members’ bank accounts in order to buy pink fluffy slippers and designer handbags.

Sergeant-at-arms of the Sydney chapter of the Comancheros, Tarek Zahed, was nabbed by Strike Force Raptor detectives last year who alleged the plethora of luxury goods were the proceeds of crime after raiding his Concord home.

Police allege Zahed had attempted to cry poor to two government authorities, allegedly providing them with false information about his finances after claiming he was unable to pay back money owed as part of court-ordered compensation.

Just some of the goods seized by police.

The full details of the allegations were laid bare in the Supreme Court this week, where the 38-year-old was applying for bail after spending five months behind bars.

The court heard that among the litany of claims fleshed out by the NSW Police was their belief Zahed’s connection to exiled bikie boss Mark Buddle would lead to him too fleeing overseas if released.

Police accuse Zahed of laundering $59,450 they allege is the proceeds of crime at the Three Swallows Hotel in Bankstown, allegedly depositing the sum into the pokies and leaving with a receipt for $54,708 in February 2016.

Raptors cops swooped in on his home in June last year.

In November 2018, police allege $13,185 in cash found in his possession was also the proceeds of crime.

His barrister Peter Lange had argued the case against Zahed was weak and that he was unlikely to receive actual jail time if convicted on some of the charges.

The court was told the money, they will contest, came from Zahed buying and selling cars.

During that same period, according to court documents, police allege Zahed moved a total of $963,950 in bank accounts under the names of two family members, who are not accused of any wrongdoing.

LV and Gucci were just some of the brands located inside the home.

Those funds too are alleged to be the proceeds of crime.

The court heard Zahed was on parole for a conviction related to a shooting when police searched his inner west home, where detectives uncovered his penchant for the likes of Gucci and Louis Vuitton.

His legal team hit a speed bump on his road to potential release when police alleged he had subjected his partner to domestic violence.

Police allege he is a high-ranking Comanchero.

She had put herself forward, offering him a home if he was granted bail.

Police prosecutors also told the court Jamal Salameh, the man who was willing to put up a $200,000 surety for Zahed, had previously been at the centre of the high-ranking Comanchero’s previous breaches of bail.

Zahed was remanded in custody and will return to Burwood Local Court later this month.

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