Imad Ghanem, Tanya Paraskeva, Hamzeh Naboulsi: Dealers sentenced
A magistrate issued some home truths to a young dial-a-dealer trio who ran a sophisticated operation serving more than 350 customers. ‘I’m not foolish. I can read between the lines,’ she said as she handed out their punishment.
The Express
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A trio involved in a sophisticated dial-a-dealer drug syndicate that sent out “special promotions” for bags of cocaine to hundreds of customers have been schooled by a magistrate as they were spared a jail term.
Imad Ghanem, 26, Tanya Paraskeva, 27, and Hamzeh Naboulsi, 27, all from Greenacre, faced Burwood Local Court for their sentence on Friday.
They were arrested in 2018.
Police facts state customers would get in contact with them and say how many bags of cocaine they wanted, costing between $200 to $300 each, then a driver would be allocated to meet up and exchange drugs for cash.
The syndicate had more than 350 customers and sent out text messages promoting “specials” each month, according to agreed facts.
In court magistrate Margaret McGlynn told the trio, “I’m not foolish.”
“I can read between the lines (…). I know each of you has done more than what you’re being sentenced for today,” she told the court.
“I’m sure you all have a future, especially you, Ms Paraskeva.”
Looking at Naboulsi she said, “And you, have a son. Do you want him to see you on this (Audio Visual Link) screen?”
During sentencing, Paraskeva, who has pleaded guilty to participating in a criminal group, dealing with the property proceeds of crime, taking part in supplying cocaine, wept as she waited to hear her fate.
Magistrate McGlynn said she accepted Paraskeva had a dysfunctional family upbringing.
She told the court the offender had “suffered a traumatic event at age 14” where she lived overseas with her father and started using cocaine.
Paraskeva, who worked as a barista receiving $1400 per fortnight, used a mobile to co-ordinate the supply of cocaine to a customer on Pitt St on December 2, 2018.
A police search in Paraskeva’s home two-and-a-half weeks later found $12,045 in cash, resealable bags containing white powder, scales, a drug ledger, laptop and mobiles, police facts state.
Between October and December 2018, she made “numerous cash deposits” totalling $11,080 at ATMs across Sydney’s west.
“The value of deposits ranged from $200-2500 with some deposits well in excess of the accused’s fortnightly wage,” the facts stated.
Magistrate McGlynn said: “Since her arrest she has been illicit drug-free.”
While the magistrate said Paraskeva was already on an ICO when she committed the offences she took into account the fact she had spent five months in remand and has had rehabilitation and psychological treatment since.
“I am satisfied the sentence should be served as an ICO rather than full-time imprisonment,” she told the court.
Paraskeva was sentenced to a 16-month intensive corrections order (ICO).
Meanwhile Ghanem, who is a plumber living with his wife and child, has pleaded guilty to supplying cocaine.
After a police search warrant executed on December 20, 2018, bags filled with satchels of cocaine were found.
One of the bags containing 10 satchels, totalling six grams of cocaine and contained Ghanem’s DNA, police facts stated.
The magistrate who noted he was previously on an ICO yet said he had not reoffended and with a treatment plan said an ICO was “suitable.”
He was sentenced to a 12-month ICO with the magistrate saying his offences were “below the halfway mark” in seriousness.
Young father Naboulsi, who has pleaded guilty to supplying cocaine, participating in a criminal group, possessing prohibited drugs, and dealing with the proceeds of crime, sat quietly wearing a black hoodie during sentencing.
Magistrate McGlynn said Naboulsi had claimed to have given up illicit drugs since his arrest and sentenced him to a 16-month ICO.
While the trio were all sentenced to ICOs, additional conditions included continued treatment with their psychologist, 300 hours community services and to not take drugs or alcohol.
Outside court, Ghanem and Naboulsi were all smiles as they embraced their friends and siblings telling them of the result while Paraskeva wrapped a scarf around her head as her boyfriend escorted her away.
Ghanem and Naboulsi’s lawyer Pawel Kulisiewicz said: “We are very pleased with the outcome and our clients are very happy.”