Adele Fajloun and Sione Vahai plead guilty to drug and firearm charges in organised crime syndicate

A woman and barber caught up in an “organised crime syndicate” – allegedly at the hands of the owner of a popular Hunter barber shop – have appeared in court.

Sione Vahai arrested under Strike Force Stranraer for his role in an organised crime syndicate in Maitland. Picture: NSW Police

A woman caught up in an “organised crime syndicate” allegedly at the hands of her partner, who owned a popular barber shop in the Hunter, has admitted to a raft of drug and firearm charges.

Adele Fajloun, 44, from West Ryde appeared in Newcastle Local Court via video link on Wednesday and pleaded guilty to 11 charges.

The charges included dealing with the proceeds of crime totalling $80,000, as well as drug supply charges involving cannabis leaf, meth and MDMA, supplying firearms and possessing unauthorised ammunition.

The charges related to offences at West Ryde and East Maitland from August 2023 until her arrest in October.

Court documents stated that Strike Force Stranraer detectives commenced an investigation in May 2023 into Fajloun’s partner, Rami Yousif Mohammad Aldhaher, who owned properties in Merrylands West and East Maitland and was operating Barber Industries at Stockland Green Hills, a shopping centre in East Maitland.

Adele Fajloun was arrested on October 26, 2023. Picture: NSW Police

Rami Aldhaher was arrested at Greenhills Shopping Centre

Police allege the 32-year-old supplied an undercover police officer with methylamphetamines and firearms on several occasions before detectives stormed the Maitland shopping centre on October 26 and seized his phone.

Their arrests coincided with a series of simultaneous property raids across the Lower Hunter and Sydney, as Raptor Squad detectives seized thousands of dollars in cash, firearms, and up to $1m worth of drugs.

It is alleged luxury cars and a Cartier gold ring was also seized.

Court documents stated that through the communications app ‘Signal’, Aldhaher allegedly organised the drug and firearm drops which were at Fajloun’s Sydney residence and his East Maitland barber shop.

One of the firearms allegedly seized by police. Picture: NSW Police

Police facts said Fajloun rented a storage shed in East Maitland, allegedly at the direction of Aldhaher, to assist him in storing items associated with criminal activity.

Court documents also stated that Fajloun would help Aldhaher on his alleged exchange of drugs and firearms to the undercover officer, but that she was not involved in any negotiations nor did she know the quantity of drugs being sold, or that the firearms were in working order.

Police facts detailed that at one of the drops on September 13, where the undercover officer was directed to pick up two firearms for $50,000, a barber shop associate was also there.

Sione Matekuolava Vahai outside Newcastle Local Court. Pic: Amy Ziniak

That was identified as Metford man Sione Matekuolava Vahai, 22, who on Wednesday also pleaded guilty to six charges, which included taking part in the supply of cocaine at East Maitland, cocaine and MDMA possession, dealing with the proceeds of crime, and participating in a criminal group to commit criminal activity.

Court documents said Vahai worked in the barber shop and communicated with Aldhaher about drug deals and operated as a “low level” dealer.

His matters will go back to Maitland Local Court in May and a sentencing assessment report was ordered.

Aldhaher’s matters were also mentioned, but the court heard negotiations were ongoing and they were adjourned until next month.

He is facing more than 90 drug and firearm charges which also includes charges of knowingly directing activities of a criminal group and knowingly and recklessly dealing with the proceeds of crime.