Helal Safi, Latesha Campbell apply for bail after guns, drugs seized at South Wentworthville
A couple charged as part of a Strike Force Raptor crackdown on firearm offences has applied for bail but only one of them was successful in a bid for freedom.
Parramatta
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A couple charged after Strike Force Raptor officers swooped on a South Wentworthville street this week as part of an operation cracking down on firearm offences has applied for bail but only one of them was successful in a bid for freedom.
Helal Safi, 45, and Latesha Campbell, 48, were two of eight people arrested after detectives seized weapons, bikie paraphernalia, prohibited drugs and cash across Sydney as part of a Firearm Prohibition Orders blitz.
Police allege the South Wentworthville home where the couple was arrested is the residence of individuals subject to the gun prohibition orders.
During a previous search of the house this month, police allegedly seized a .38 calibre revolver.
Safi was this week charged with eight firearm offences including possessing or using a prohibited weapon without a permit.
Campbell was charged with having firearms found on premises subject to a firearms prohibition order.
Both were charged with being the owner or occupier knowingly allowing premises to be used as drug premises at their Torino Rd home at Edmondson Park.
At Parramatta Local Court on Friday, the court heard the .38 calibre gun was found in a cabinet under a desk at the home.
However, the couple’s lawyer Elias Tabchouri told the court the prosecution case was weak and there was no forensic evidence that pointed to who owned the firearm out of five other men arrested at the premises.
He told the court his client, who had a lengthy criminal history, had suffered an enlarged heart, low kidney function and swollen legs after he was stabbed 42 times at a service station in 2010.
The attack left him comatose for five months and with long-term medical problems that
requires seven medications each day. He said he had only taken a Panadol since he was in custody.
Safi appeared via video and also gave evidence about his medical problems and displayed his leg to demonstrate how swollen he claimed they were.
“‘I feel very weak,’’ he said.
Prosecutor Senior Constable Sally Little opposed bail, citing an extensive criminal history that included drug and weapon offences “which demonstrated his propensity to arm himself’’.
“The gun charges are a very serious nature. The rest of it cannot be understated,’’ she said.
Magistrate Bree Chisholm noted the lack of evidence for Safi’s medical treatment and was satisfied Safi could receive medical treatment in custody.
She also noted the gun found in the study nook was near other items bearing Safi’s name and was concerned about his “significant, violent criminal history”, including an armed weapon offence for which he finished a jail sentence early this year.
She refused bail.
However, Safi’s partner Campbell was granted bail after Magistrate Chisholm.
Under her bail conditions, Campbell, who the court heard also had a long criminal history, will be under house arrest living at the Villawood home of Safi’s mother, must not take illegal drugs, will be required to report to Bass Hill police station three times a week and post a $2000 surety.
Both matters were adjourned to Liverpool Local Court on December 13.
This week’s strike force crackdown started with detectives charging Comanchero sergeant-at-arms Tarek Zahed, 40, at a Burwood Rd hotel for breach of bail conditions.
The man was taken to Auburn police station, where he was bail refused to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday. He remains before the courts.
Later yesterday evening, Strike Force Raptor officers searched for firearms at Zahed’s Homebush home where cash, prohibited drugs and items of clothing with Comanchero Outlaw Motorcycle Gang (OMCG) insignia displayed on them, were seized for forensic examination.
As well as Safi and Campbell, five men – aged 42, 29, 28, 27 and 23 – were also arrested in the heavily-armed operation at South Wentworthville.
Police seized an electronic storage device, mobile phones, prohibited knives, various prohibited drugs believed to be methylamphetamine, heroin, MDMA, and steroids, as well as prescription drugs.
A search of a Hyundai i30 hatchback, which was parked in the driveway of the property, led to the seizure of a baton, slingshot, mask and assorted documentation.
The five other men were taken to Granville police station.
The 42-year-old was charged with possessing a prohibited weapon and was bail refused. He remains before the courts.
The 27-year-old and 23-year-old were charged with custody of a knife in a public place and were granted conditional bail to appear at Fairfield Local Court on November 23.
The two other men were released pending further inquiries.
During the operation, a 37-year-old man arrived at the scene in a vehicle and was identified as a disqualified driver.
He was charged and ordered to appear at Parramatta Local Court on December 14.