Abbas Hijazi: Penshurst man to be sentenced for commercial drug supply

A man – arrested during police raids in which cocaine blocks stamped with a Dior logo were seized – claims he was not at the top of the syndicate hierarchy but admitted to providing “safety” during deals.

A father – arrested during police raids in which several cocaine blocks stamped with a Dior logo were seized – has claimed he was not the “muscle” but rather provided “safety” when deals for a drug syndicate would take place, a court has heard.

Abbas Hijazi, 34, pleaded guilty to two counts of take part in the large commercial supply of drugs and had a sentencing hearing in Downing Centre District Court on Friday.

Hijazi, from Penshurst, along with five other men were arrested in April 2021 as part of Strike Force Raptor sweeping raids in St George, Sutherland, eastern suburbs and Wollongong.

At the time of the arrest, Hijazi’s was alleged to be a Bandidos bikie and the director of the drug enterprise however, barrister Bret Walker said his client was not a member of an outlaw motorcycle gang nor was he at the “top or apex” of the drug syndicate hierarchy, according to the agreed facts.

Mr Walker noted the agreed facts stated Hijazi would “make himself available when requested,” which indicated he was not subordinate.

Abbas Hijazi was arrested at Penshurst from April 2021. Picture: NSW Police

The court heard Hijazi’s role involved him being “aware” of drug deals details and conversations in electronic group communications.

Mr Walker submitted Hijazi was not the principal of the operation, claiming there was no evidence to support that but rather he was on the “periphery”, adding he did not have a central role in supervising or controlling the group.

Several cocaine blocks stamped with a Dior logo were seized. Picture: NSW Police

Mr Walker said there was no evidence in the agreed facts that Hijazi was the “strong arms or muscle”.

The barrister conceded Hijazi’s role was not “altruistic or a hobby,” and he did make a financial return.

A Crown prosecutor submitted Hijazi’s role was to provide “safety” to co-offenders to carry out the supply of drugs.

She said the need to have a man such as Hijazi providing safety at drug deals supported the notion that the enterprise was sophisticated.

Cash was seized during arrests. Picture: NSW Police

The prosecutor submitted Hijazi had some management of the group and some degree of influence in the enterprise, adding he was aware of the “macro affairs of the group”.

She submitted Hijazi was also made aware of the location of deals, how much and what type of drugs were sold.

“He is a person with enough trust, influence and power to provide safety to members to allow the supply to take place safely.

“It was only performed for some degree of financial reward.”

Drugs were seized. Picture: NSW Police

The prosecutor also added that Hijazi was able to benefit from the enterprise without taking the risk of being the person “on the ground’ handing over drugs for money.

Mr Walker noted Hijazi’s age and lengthy criminal history did not assist him, adding he also had mental health issues and drug addiction.

The court heard Hijazi was one of a dozen children raised by his single mother and he became addicted to drugs after his sporting career was dashed due to injury.

Mr Walker said positively, Hijazi still had the support of his family and friends, and he was motivated to rehabilitate for the sake of his daughter.

Hijazi will be sentenced on September 15.