Abraham Zreika fined $750 for driving in Guildford with cannabis in system

A western Sydney man busted driving with drugs in his system has returned to court on charges related to the alleged ‘dial a dealer’ drug network run by the Alameddine family.

Abraham Zreika smoked cannabis to treat depression, a court heard. Picture: John Appleyard

Former Merrylands West man Abraham Zreika has been fined $750 after driving with cannabis in his system.

The 21 year old apprentice plumber, who is in custody for separate matters, pleaded guilty to two counts of driving a motor vehicle with an illicit drug present in blood after being arrested twice in April.

Parramatta Local Court heard on Tuesday how Zreika smoked the drug five days before police stopped him at Albert St, Guildford West, for a minor traffic offence on April 10 about 10.45pm.

He told police “the other guy was speeding”. An initial drug test returned a negative result but came back positive after further analysis and Zreika acknowledged he smoked the drug days before at a park.

He was fined $300 and disqualified for driving for six months.

Abraham Zreika was fined $750 for driving with cannabis in his system. Picture: John Appleyard

It wasn’t long before he was charged again. On April 30, Strike Force Raptor cops stopped him in his Toyota Corolla when he was driving along Bolton St at Guildford.

A test returned a positive result for cannabis, which led to him being disqualified for eight months and being fined $450.

Magistrate Stephen Barlow gave Zreika a discount off the sentence because of his early pleas of guilt.

Zreika’s lawyer told the court his client used “cannabis off and on for depression” and had been using it for some time.

Before he was taken into custody, he said his client had attended TAFE for four years but recently had a foot reconstruction which impacted his ability to work.

In May, Mr Zreika was one of 18 men charged after raids on 29 properties across western Sydney.

Police laid dozens of charges over an alleged sophisticated “dial a dealer” drug network run by the Alameddine family.

The court this week heard how Zreika was facing more serious drug charges, which were mentioned in court on Thursday.

He has been charged with multiple offences including three counts of taking part in supplying a prohibited drug greater than a commercial quantity, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, dealing with property proceeds of crime less than $100,000, and possessing means of disguising face with intent to commit an indictable offence.

The matters for Zreika and the co-accused men were adjourned to November 24.