Zouheir Bazzi: Rockdale businessman charged over cocaine supply
An elderly Rockdale businessman has spent more than 100 days behind bars accused of repeatedly supplying cocaine to his associates in a private lounge at his factory. Police allege there were also 1000 rounds of ammunition inside a common area.
St George Shire Standard
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An elderly man has spent more than 100 days behind bars on remand accused of supplying cocaine to business associates in a private lounge at his metalworking factory in Sydney’s south.
Zouheir Bazzi, 71, was charged with seven offences on June 4 after a three-month police investigation into alleged drug supply in the St George area.
Police will allege CCTV captures Bazzi dealing cocaine five times in the lounge at his Rockdale metalworking factory before three of his alleged customers were arrested in nearby suburbs and subsequently charged with prohibited drug possession.
On at least two occasions police say the alleged customers sampled the drug before leaving Bazzi’s business.
He now faces charges of ongoing drug supply, prohibited drug supply, drug possession, possessing ammunition without a licence and dealing with crime proceeds after police allegedly found 1000 rounds of ammunition and cash at his premises.
On Bazzi’s 103rd day in custody on remand, he was granted bail by Magistrate Jayeann Carney at Sutherland Local Court on conditions akin to house arrest.
“The supply of drugs creates a market for purchases, which undermines community welfare by selling unlawful drugs to individuals, compromising their safety, causing mental and potentially physical harm,” Ms Carney said.
“(Police will allege) Bazzi participated in an interview in which he made certain admissions, such as supplying cocaine to associates of his business.”
Bazzi will not be permitted to leave home without his wife of 20 years, will report daily to Riverwood police, submit to a curfew and has put up $20,000 in security.
The court heard submissions Bazzi needed to be at liberty for his health after a report from Justice Health indicating they did not have the resources to treat some aspects of his long-term heart condition or his high cholesterol.
The elderly Beverly Hills man was rushed to Westmead Hospital on June 12 – six days after he went into custody on remand – due to severe chest pains.
The court also heard Bazzi’s arrest had also caused significant financial hardship, as some clients terminated their business with him and his wife had to move out of their rental home.
Bazzi has been a metalworker since he was just 10 in Lebanon, and now owns Afco All Metal Work in Rockdale.
His matter will return to Sutherland Local Court on October 12.