Belal El Badar: Alleged drug manufacturer could face lesser charges after chemist analysis
Almost two years after police uncovered an alleged lab that took up almost two floors of a southwest Sydney warehouse, a chemist analysis of the drugs seized has returned. Read what happened in court.
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A southwest Sydney man charged with cooking up illegal drugs in a huge vats at a clandestine drug lab could soon face lesser charges after a development nearly two years after his arrest.
Lugarno’s Belal Bill El Badar, 44, is alleged to have manufactured 19.6kg of methylamphetamine, and 109.4kg of MDA, a psychedelic amphetamine, and 2.3kg of pure amphetamine.
El Badar has been in custody on remand since September 2020. He has been charged with knowingly take part in the manufacture or production of prohibited drug, four counts of manufacture or produce prohibited drug not less than large commercial quantity and two counts of possessing precursor for use in the manufacture or production of a prohibited drug.
At Campbelltown Local Court on Wednesday, a representative for the Director of Public Prosecutions said that there were delays in getting the analysis of the drugs seized, but a report had finally been submitted on June 15.
“We recently received a chemist report in relation to this matter which caused the director to reconsider the charges certified,” the representative said.
“That is to the benefit of the accused.”
The representative informed the court that an offer would be made to the defence team and new charges could be laid on the basis of the report.
El Bader was arrested after more than 4.5kg of MDA was allegedly seized during the search at a Moorebank warehouse, where officers also allegedly found chemicals, precursors, solvents and equipment consistent with the manufacture of prohibited drugs. All items were set to undergo further examination.
The defence did not oppose an adjournment and the matter returns to Campbelltown Local Court on September 7. El Bader remains in custody on remand.
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