Joseph Mouawad, Shane Jamieson: Men charged with multiple drug supply offences
Two well-known businessmen, one who runs his own carpet cleaning business and a mechanic, have been charged over the ongoing supply of cannabis in the Shoalhaven region.
The South Coast News
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Two well-known Nowra businessmen have been charged with ongoing supply of cannabis throughout the Shoalhaven.
Manager of a Jim’s Carpet Cleaning franchise Joseph Mouawad, 41, and mechanic Shane Jaimeson French, 47, have appeared in Nowra Local Court, charged with supply of large amounts of cannabis over the past few months.
Mouawad applied for bail in Nowra Local Court on Wednesday. He is charged with one count of supply of a prohibited drug greater than commercial quantity, four counts of supply prohibited plant, seven counts of supply cannabis, and knowingly direct activities of a criminal group.
According to police facts tendered to the court, Mouawad allegedly co-ordinated the supply of cannabis in the Nowra area as an “upline” supplier for French and other men.
Police allege the carpet cleaner supplied 26kg of cannabis between June 19 and August 20.
Documents allege Mouawad supplied amounts between two and 16 pounds to his co-accused on 11 occasions over the two-month period.
According to documents, Mouawad was captured on police surveillance using coded language for his ongoing supply of the drugs with terms such as “rug”. Police allege he would also leave drugs in the “yellow bin” at his home for people to collect.
Police surveillance also captured the Nowra businessman allegedly delivering drugs to Yagoona while using his Jim’s Carpet Cleaning van, according to police documents.
During Mouawad’s bail application, defence solicitor Elias Khouzame said Magistrate Fleming could not be satisfied by the strength of the prosecution case.
The court also heard Mouawad was the “hands-on person” of he and his defacto’s carpet cleaning business and tenders recently signed in the ACT were at risk of being unfulfilled if he could not work.
Mr Khouzame also submitted that Mouawad had some medical issues including hypertension and gout and had elective surgery to do with weight loss in September.
Prosecutor sergeant Andrew Kingston disagreed stating the case relied on months of surveillance and while other parties did not apply for bail, large amounts of drugs were allegedly found during the arrest of French and other co-accused.
Magistrate Gabriel Fleming refused bail stating the prosecution case had alleged facts particularised to a “significant degree” including dates, times, places, amounts, electronic evidence and physical surveillance.
Mouawad was remanded in custody until his next appearance on October 26.
French was charged with five counts of supply prohibited plant, two counts of supply cannabis, three counts of supply prohibited drug including methylamphetamine and cocaine and participating in a criminal group contributing criminal activity.
He did not apply for bail and was remanded in custody until September 4.