Adrian Moussa, Zac Sweeney: High-flying lifestyle of Sutherland Shire cocaine syndicate bosses revealed

The unique lifestyles of two bosses of a cocaine supply network – a debt-riddled card-playing gambler and a cafe owner – has been revealed in court. Find out how their lucrative drug enterprise came crashing down.

Adrian Moussa gave evidence during a sentencing hearing in Downing Centre after pleading guilty to commercial drug supply. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

The lifestyles of two cocaine syndicate bosses, who together pocketed $5000 a week by running an “organised” supply syndicate in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire, have been exposed as they await sentencing on a string of charges, including commercial drug supply and directing a criminal group.

Zac Vincent Sweeney, 30, who established Cronulla’s Water’s Edge Cafe and Adrian George Moussa, 29, of Merrylands, had their lucrative criminal enterprise brought down last July when police swooped and arrested the pair.

At a sentencing hearing for the duo at Downing Centre District Court on Thursday, details of how Moussa became embroiled in drug use, attended weekly poker meets and accrued a $20,000 drug debt were revealed.

The men supplied about 650g of cocaine and Moussa allegedly dealt with $32,000 in cash, deemed to be the proceeds of crime, while Sweeney dealt with $11,545.

The sentencing hearing centred on Moussa’s alleged proceeds of crime, which the court heard was found inside a safe at Moussa’s parents’ house.

Zac Sweeney (centre) will have to wait another two weeks before he is sentenced for his role running a drug supply syndicate. Picture: Nikki Short

Moussa’s lawyer denied the allegation and suggested the cash was the savings of his parents, John and Helen. His parents are not alleged to have engaged in any wrongdoing.

Moussa claimed he never put money in the safe, didn’t know the code and the cash found inside did not belong to him.

Adrian Moussa admitted to having a drug and gambling problem while he was running the operation. Picture: Nikki Short

The court heard the safe belonged to Moussa and he had it when he lived in Caringbah before he stored it at his parents home once he started living there again.

John Moussa told the court he moved it from the garage into his walk-in wardrobe in his bedroom, but could not recall when that occurred.

The court heard John and Helen had withdrawn cash from their bank accounts to the tune of $27,000 and had $5000 in cash from Ms Moussa’s birthday present money stored inside the safe.

John Moussa gave evidence the cash was saved for a holiday to celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary, with the money kept there so it wouldn’t be spent elsewhere.

Zac Sweeney and Adrian Moussa were making $5000 a week from their operation. Picture: Ashleigh Tullis

He said he was the only one with access to the safe’s code and who had put money inside, which was also confirmed when Ms Moussa took the stand.

However, the court heard during the search warrant on July 16, John Moussa told investigators he “didn’t know anything about the safe”. He told the court he lied when he made that statement as he was scared and didn’t fully understand what was going on.

Moussa gave evidence at his sentencing that he had struggled while remanded in prison due to lengthy Covid lockdowns and being threatened because of his sleep apnoea.

He admitted to having a significant gambling problem where he would spend between $800-$1000, usually playing poker, but sometimes spent $3000 a week. He also said he would usually take up to 3g of cocaine a day, when he could get access, but was now clean.

The Merrylands man told the court he would use the money he made from selling drugs to fund his gambling addiction.

He gave evidence he had accrued a $20,000 drug debt and was approached by men wanting to collect the money, with one of the men lifting up his shirt to reveal a gun.

Moussa paid off the debt after making an arrangement with a poker associate, where he was given $2000 weekly and was given a contact list of drug customers.

The court heard he was depressed when he was arrested and since undertaken drug, alcohol and gambling assistance courses.

Moussa did not dispute he was the principal of the organisation and apologised for his actions.

“It shouldn’t have happened,” he said. “It is an embarrassment. I’m sorry to my mum and dad for the emotional and financial stress.

“There is no excuse for what I did. I take full responsibility and accept the punishment.”

The case was adjourned to November 23.