Ibrahim Kansou: accused drug dealer applies for bail

An accused drug runner for an alleged bikie drug syndicate enlisted a top Sydney silk in a desperate bid for bail after his wife discovered she was pregnant while he was behind bars on remand.

The family of a young father who allegedly dealt drugs to undercover police have put up $1.2 million to secure his release on bail to support his newly pregnant wife and prevent her losing their home.

Ibrahim Kansou, 28, has been charged with 11 prohibited drug supply offences and participating in a criminal group over allegations he was involved in a Bandidos bikie drug syndicate pushing drugs across Sydney and the Illawarra.

Police will allege the Revesby Heights plumber – allegedly codenamed Goat – supplied 358.5g of cocaine and 420.6g of methylamphetamine in Peakhurst and Menai.

Ibrahim Kansou.

Much to his family’s distress, the cleanskin Revesby Heights plumber was refused bail the day he was arrested after the court heard there was a strong prosecution case in respect of two allegations he supplied cocaine and MDMA to an undercover police officer.

However, Kansou enlisted top Sydney silk Ian Lloyd QC and solicitor Mohommed Bazzi for a renewed application after Kansou’s uncle put up a $1.2 million property to secure his release.

“The police say my client was involved in the handover of 56.2g of cocaine and 143g of MDMA, it’s clearly a strong Crown case,” Mr Lloyd told the court.

“(But in terms of the other charges), there’s no forensic evidence by way of fingerprints or DNA, and in fact there are no telephone intercepts of him speaking to any person (about these matters).”

The court also heard Kansou’s wife – with whom he already has a young son – has discovered she is pregnant again since her husband has been on remand.

Drugs uncovered during raids on Sydney homes.

Cash found during a raid at a Miranda home.

At Sutherland Local Court, Magistrate Les Mabbutt agreed there was a strong prosecution case in the two charges pertaining to Kansou’s alleged encounter with the undercover officer.

“An operative met with this accused on February 27 and an exchange took place of MDMA, cocaine and money, and that meeting was probably recorded in some way,” Mr Mabbutt said.

“That’s not a weak prosecution case – he is facing serious charges.”

However, Mr Mabbutt granted bail on conditions akin to house arrest, in which Kansou will be unable to leave the house for any reason except to work or attend legal and medical appointments supervised by his wife or brother.

He will also be completely banned from using the internet or any kind of phone, consuming drugs or alcohol, or associating with outlaw motorcycle gangs.

Dressed in prison greens, Kansou pressed his hands together in gratitude as his family members breathed a collective sigh of relief in the courtroom.

A gold handgun found at a Sydney home during raids connected to the alleged syndicate.

More than 100 specialised police executed 10 searches across Sydney to dismantle the alleged crime ring, which police allege has links to the Bandidos bikie gang, and seized 12.5kg of drugs – primarily cocaine, MDMA and ice – and gold guns.

On Monday, the syndicate’s alleged boss Abbas Hijazi, 31, also applied for bail through his solicitor Rayan Kadadi.

The alleged Bandidos bikie faces 32 charges of knowingly participating in prohibited drug supply pertaining to 1.313kg of cocaine, 1.685kg of methylamphetamine and 1.824kg of MDMA.

The Peakhurst man is also charged with directing and participating in a criminal group, concealing a serious indictable offence, using a mobile phone to menace and intimidating his own alleged drug runner Jake Davies.

However, the application before Magistrate Joy Boulos was unsuccessful and Ms Kadadi said her client would seek bail in the Supreme Court.

The syndicate’s other alleged members – Jake Davies, James Booth, David Coleman and Alfredo San Giorgio – remain behind bars on remand and will face court again this month.

James Booth, 26, has also been charged.

David Coleman during his arrest.