Novotel Parramatta: Faisal Zarshoy, Mohamad Yamout charged with firearm, drug offences
Two men have fronted court accused of having drugs and a semi-automatic pistol at a Parramatta hotel when Strike Force Raptor detectives searched their room.
Parramatta
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Two men charged with a string of drug and firearm offences at the Novotel Parramatta on May 13 were granted bail a day later.
Mohamad Yamout, 34, and Faisal Zarshoy, 25, were charged after Strike Force Raptor detectives questioned them over firearm offences on May 13 before searching the hotel, where they seized a drug believed to be cocaine (subject to forensic examination) and a .25 Browning semi-automatic pistol.
They were taken to Parramatta police station and charged with acquiring a firearm subject to Firearms Prohibition Order, possessing a pistol, not keeping the firearm safely and acquiring ammunition subject to FPO.
They were refused bail but at Parramatta Local Court on May 14, Magistrate Rodney Brender granted bail for the pair despite police opposing the application over concerns the accused would fail to appear at court proceedings and endanger the safety of victims, individuals or the community.
Zarshoy was granted bail on the conditions he surrender his passport, not enter any international airport or other point of departure from Australia and live at his home in The Ponds, not take drugs unless they are prescribed by a doctor, agree to forfeit $2000 if he fails to comply with bail acknowledgment and for another individual to forfeit $10,000 if bail is breached.
Zarshoy did not appear via video link and no plea was entered.
Yamout pleaded not guilty and was granted bail and ordered to spend each night at his Rydalmere home, not to contact co-accused Zarshoy or any witness unless through his lawyer, not to take drugs unless prescribed through a doctor, forfeit $500 if bail is breached and for another person to forfeit $1000 if he fails to comply with bail.
Yamout and Zarshoy were ordered to front Parramatta Local Court on June 4.