Omar Atteya: Greenacre man to be sentenced for supplying meth, GBL

A southwest Sydney plumber has told a court of his remorse for supplying ice and GBL, but a prosecutor noted his words were suspiciously similar to his apology letter from 2015.

A ‘lieutenant’ in a major drug supply syndicate has faced court to learn his fate, after police found more than $100,000 in cash, along with half a kilogram of meth and five litres of GBL in his apartment.

Appearing in the Downing Centre District Court via video link today, Greenacre 29-year-old Omar Atteya was supported by his family, his mother sobbing profusely as details of his crimes were revealed.

Crown Prosecutor Jason Rafeeq told the court Atteya was a lieutenant in the drug syndicate, responsible for delivering drugs to the alleged leader, Mohamed Mahfouz, who is currently before the courts.

“He brings in 499 grams into the drug house, Mahfouz and the offender break it up into smaller amounts, he walks away with 250g of meth,” Mr Rafeeq said.

“Defence submission says he was trying to fund his drug habit. 250g is not for personal use.”

Omar Atteya, is escorted inside Bankstown Police Station after his arrest in Greenacre on Thursday, November 12, 2020. Picture: NSW Police Media

He faced multiple charges of supplying commercial quantities of drugs, dealing in the proceeds of crime, and participating in a criminal group.

Ian Lloyd QC, representing Atteya, told the court his client was more of a ‘corporal’ than a lieutenant in the syndicate, downplaying his role as a driver rather than a second in charge.

Judge Gina O’Rourke told the court, “You assume I understand military ranks. Whatever label you put on it, I will be looking at what he did.”

Mr Lloyd told the court his client only supplied the drugs to Mahfouz, rather than selling them himself. According to Atteya, he only had that large amount of drugs in his home to hold them for Mahfouz after he was arrested.

“He’s not found with any trappings of wealth,” Mr Lloyd said.

“He merely has drugs and cash for Mahfouz.”

Greenacre man Omar Atteya has been in custody since his arrest in 2020. Picture: NSW Police Media

Mr Lloyd told the court the five litres of GBL would only be sold for roughly $5000, making it the equivalent of one ounce of cocaine, and submitted multiple references to demonstrate his client is of good character.

“He’s a qualified plumber, and in his letter of apology expresses contrition, remorse, and a desire to do good,” Mr Lloyd said.

Judge Gina O’Rourke said she struggled to see Atteya as a person of good character, noting a lengthy record of disciplinary issues during his time spent in jail.

The court heard most of which were intimidation, while drugs were also found in his cell by guards.

“He tells me jails aren’t easy places for young people of ethnicity,” Mr Lloyd said.

“One has to stand up for one’s self in the custodial system.”

But Mr Rafeeq noted the similarities in Atteya’s letter of remorse to another he had written in 2015, as a 23-year-old facing a sentence for drug supply, when he noted how drug deaths at music festivals had affected him.

“You Honour has the letter to the court in 2015, he goes into some length on the impact of drugs,” Mr Rafeeq said.

“Five years later, it didn’t seem to affect him there. Didn’t affect him when he brought in those drugs to assist Mahfouz.”

Before Atteya’s arrest for drug supply, he was caught with meth and small plastic bags outside a prison while visiting a friend. He pleaded guilty to that crime, and received a one month jail sentence.

Mr Rafeeq told the court Atteya’s sentence for multiple counts of commercial drug supply needed to be significant.

“As the defendant himself said in 2015, it has an impact on the community,” Mr Rafeeq said.

“The community expects sentences which deter this type of thing from happening.”
UPDATE - SEPTEMBER 2

When handing down her sentence, Judge Gina O‘Rourke gave further details of Atteya’s crimes.

The court heard police surveillance captured Atteya attending a drug premises run by Mahfouz, bringing meth in plastic cold bags, talking about distributing it, and splitting 22 ounces between each other on one occasion.

Citing agreed facts, Ms O‘Rourke revealed to the court how Atteya ended up with the large amounts of cash, including bundles being placed in Coles bags by Mahfouz, and given to him at the drug premises.

A search of Atteya‘s bedroom found $177,444 cash between his wardrobe, drawers, and Luis Vuitton bag. The meth was spread across various plastic bags between his home and car, with some found in a TV Snacks box.

Ms O‘Rourke said the role of each offender in the syndicate was important, and considered Atteya to be underneath the alleged second in command, Hai Dang Bui, who is currently before the courts.

“Omar Atteya is no longer a young man, he is nearly 30,” Ms O‘Rourke said.

“It is time that he grows up and makes the proper decisions for his future and contributes to his family and society.”

Atteya was sentenced to eight years and six months in prison, with a non-parole period of five years. His sentence was dated back to November 26, 2020, acknowledging time spent in custody, and another prison sentence served while in custody.He is eligible for release on November 26, 2025.