Fitness influencer Marven Yacoub accused of masterminding drug importations

A prominent fitness influencer and businessman has been accused of masterminding a drug importation scheme that allegedly used recently vacated Sydney homes as drop-off locations.

Marven Yacoub, who is accused of masterminding drug importations. Picture: John Grainger

A prominent fitness influencer and businessman has been accused of masterminding a drug importation scheme that allegedly used recently vacated homes in southern Sydney as drop-off locations.

Marven Yacoub, 32, faced Downing Centre Local Court via audiovisual link on Monday charged with several drug-related offences, including importing commercial quantities of precursors and methamphetamine.

Yacoub is also charged with four counts of importing prohibited steroids and a marketable quantity of cocaine.

The Merrylands resident, who is yet to enter pleas, applied for bail on Monday.

The court heard police would allege the bodybuilder, who has more than 65,000 Instagram followers, used WhatsApp to coordinate a drug scheme with another man currently on bail.

The court heard Marven Yacoub had prior convictions for drug-related offending. Picture: John Grainger

At least nine consignments, addressed to the fake name “Jasmine Wells”, were allegedly delivered to recently vacated or sold residential addresses in Wolli Creek between 2022 and 2024.

Police will allege Yacoub directly imported and delivered three of the consignments, and personally arranged for them to be picked up.

When Yacoub returned to Australia after a trip to Turkey earlier this year, police seized his phone upon his arrival at Sydney Airport.

Marven Yacoub (left) with rival influencer Hossein “Yakiboy” Balapour, who was sentenced last year for headbutting him during a brawl. Picture: Instagram

The court heard the device had the same mobile phone number allegedly linked to the consignments.

A police search of the phone’s internet browsing history revealed eight addresses allegedly linked to the consignments, as well as WhatsApp messages from Yacoub to the co-accused, seemingly “instructing” him with regards to the consignments.

On Monday, the prosecution said while there was little to no direct evidence of Yacoub’s alleged involvement, there was a strong circumstantial case.

However, Yacoub’s barrister, Allan Goldsworthy, argued without direct evidence, there was nothing linking his client to the importation of precursors and methamphetamine.

He said his client’s messages could only link him to the “legitimate” importation of vapes, testosterone and steroids.

“There are no references to heavier drugs,” he said.

Mr Goldsworthy said while his client had previously been convicted of drug-related offending, he was also a man with “strong community ties” who regularly attended and donated to his church.

He said Yacoub should be granted bail in order to continue running his two businesses as a fitness coach and director of a cosmetic injectables supplier, and to continue mental health treatment for his depression.

However, the prosecution argued Yacoub, a New Zealand citizen, presented a flight risk and the potential to interfere with its case.

Magistrate Scott Nash refused bail, finding Yacoub presented an “unacceptable risk” of offending if released from custody.

Yacoub is due to return to court on January 15 next year.

The 32-year-old also made headlines last year, when rival influencer Hossein “Yakiboy” Balapour was convicted and sentenced to a 12-month good behaviour bond for affray after headbutting him during a street brawl.

Yacoub was not charged in relation to that incident.