Maitland: Industries barber shop owner Rami Aldhaher pleads guilty to drug and firearm charges

A Hunter barber shop owner organised and directed a number of drug and gun drops as part of an “organised crime syndicate” – even selling to an undercover cop.

The arrests under Strike Force Stranraer on October 26, 2023. Picture: NSW Police

A barber shop owner who organised and directed a number of drug and gun drops in Sydney and the Hunter as part of an “organised crime syndicate” has pleaded guilty to a raft of serious charges.

Rami Yousif Mohammad Aldhaher, who owned properties in Merrylands West and East Maitland and was operating Barber Industries at Stockland Green Hills, came to the attention of Strike Force Stranraer detectives in May 2023.

Police facts state the 32-year-old supplied an undercover police officer with methylamphetamines and firearms on several occasions before officers stormed the Maitland shopping centre on October 26, seized his phone and arrested him alongside 44-year-old girlfriend Adele Fajloun from West Ryde.

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, luxury cars and up to $1m worth of drugs.

In Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday, Aldhaher appeared via video link as he pleaded guilty to 17 of more than 90 charges against him relating to a period from February 2022 to October 2023.

Rami Aldhaher has pleaded guilty to a raft of drug and guns charges. Credit: Facebook

Some of the drugs seized. Picture: NSW Police

Those included supplying a large commercial quantity of prohibited drugs and drug supply including MDMA, cocaine, cannabis and meth, numerous firearm offences and recklessly dealing with the proceeds of crime relating to more than $18,000.

The remaining charges were withdrawn.

Aldhaher’s matters were adjourned until next month for a sentence date to be set.

One of the firearms seized. Picture: NSW Police

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

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

Fajloun has already pleaded guilty to 11 charges which include dealing with the proceeds of crime totalling $80,000, drug supply charges involving cannabis leaf, meth and MDMA and supplying firearms and possessing unauthorised ammunition.

She will appear in the District Court tomorrow for a sentence date to be set.

Sione Matekuolava Vahai has also pleaded guilty to drug charges. Pic: Amy Ziniak

Adele Fajloun during her arrest in October 2023. Picture: NSW Police

Police facts also detailed that at one of the drops on September 13, 2023, where the undercover officer was directed to pick up two firearms for $50,000, a barber shop associate was there.

Metford man Sione Matekuolava Vahai, 22, has also pleaded guilty to six charges, which include 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 state 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 has been ordered.