Six men refused bail over alleged ‘dial-a-dealer’ syndicate in Sutherland Shire

Half a dozen men allegedly supplied MDMA and cocaine across Sydney’s south and southwest in a ‘very organised’ dial-a-dealer syndicate, with the alleged organisers netting $35,000 a week.

Brandon Matavesi, Joshua Gotsis, Joshua Hargreaves and Kyle Russo were allegedly involved in supplying a significant amount of drugs across the Sutherland Shire.

Six men have been refused bail for their alleged roles in supplying a significant amount of drugs across the Sutherland Shire in a “very organised” dial-a-dealer syndicate, which netted the alleged organisers $35,000 a week.

A court heard the syndicate organisers allegedly used a “central control phone” to send mass messages to 1900 contacts while buyers would place their orders before runners would deliver their cocaine and MDMA.

In August, Sutherland detectives started an investigation into the ongoing supply of drugs and used physical and covert surveillance, controlled buyers, undercover police operatives and telephone intercepts to monitor and gather evidence on the alleged syndicate members and their customers.

Police arrested alleged leader Mohammed El-Sammak, along with 28, Joshua Luke Gotsis, 23, Joshua David Hargreaves, 23, George Nicolau, 35, Brandon Matavesi, 24, and Kyle Blake Russo, 23, on Wednesday.

The investigation led police to search five homes at Chalker St, Thirlmere; Barnes Cres, Menai; Uralla Ave, Padstow; Brown Close, Menai; and Sandra Ave, Panania.

Joshua Gotsis.

During a search of the homes, police seized 272.5g of cocaine, 33g of MDMA, 300g of cannabis, $130,000 in Australian currency, about $400,000 in luxury watches, $340,000 in vehicles, $95,000 in trail bikes and a gel blaster.

The drugs have a potential street value of $110,000.

Joshua Hargreaves.

In Sutherland Local Court on Thursday, Gotsis and Hargreaves did not apply for bail.

The court heard police will allege the syndicate supplied 1.2kg of cocaine from July to December 13.

In documents tendered to the court, police allege Gotsis was the main operator of the phone with Hargreaves helping out when he was busy; with messages sent to customers notifying them of the product they had available.

Police allege drugs were stored at both their homes and runners would collect the drugs and make deliveries.

Police further allege Gotsis would deliver the cash takings to El-Sammak, who would then give money to Gotsis and Hargreaves as payment, which was about $35,000 a week.

Kyle Russo.

The court heard Nicolau was allegedly “more than a runner” and had meetings with upline supplier Gotsis, and would deliver between one and three bags of cocaine, allegedly supplying 407g of the drug.

Police allege on December 6, 8 and 13, Nicolau drove to McDonald’s Kirrawee after he had arranged to supply drugs to a controlled buyer.

Police allege Matavesi also drove there, got into Nicolau’s car then got out and conducted surveillance while Nicolau drove to Kirrawee Bunnings, met up with the buyer where he exchange the drugs for cash.

Police also allege Nicolau then met back up with Matavesi who would take the cash.

On December 13, police allegedly intercepted Matevsi in Kirrawee McDonald’s with three ounces of cocaine, one ounce of MDMA and three vapes totalling $22,000, before the supply.

The men were hit with multiple charges including drug supply; knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime, participating in a criminal group.

Brandon Matavesi.

Nicolau and Matavesi’s lawyer, Bashaar Elkheir, said his client had no criminal history, had been employed as a manager at Sydney Trains for many years, could live with his partner on the Central Coast and needed to care for his family.

Mr Elkheir said Matavesi needed to be at liberty to work in the demolition industry to provide for his family. He told the court he had been in custody previously.

Mr Elkheir said both clients could abide by home detention, provide surety and have one mobile phone among other bail conditions.

Russo’s defence lawyer, Jessica Burke, submitted there was no direct evidence of her client carrying out any drug supplies but there were intercepted text messages and phone calls.

She said there were no drugs, drug paraphernalia nor cash found at his home.

She said her client suffered from mental health conditions and had strong family support, was only young and could abide by strict bail conditions.

Magistrate Philip Stewart refused to grant bail to Russo, Nicolau and Matavesi noting the strength of the prosecution case, adding it was a “very organised” syndicate which used a burner phone and employed a number of runners.

Mr Stewart said if the men were convicted they would likely receive full-time jail sentences and that bail conditions did not mitigate the risks.

The five Sutherland cases were adjourned to February 13 at Downing Centre Local Court while El-Sammak was also refused bail and he will return to Burwood Local Court on March 6.