Riverina lawyer Alina Yousif pleads not guilty to drug charges linked with Bandidos Motorcycle Club
A lawyer in the Riverina has gone on trial after she was allegedly caught counting thousands of dollars generated from supplying ice with links to the Bandidos Motorcycle Club.
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A lawyer knew she was part of a criminal group supplying drugs linked to an outlaw motorcycle gang because surveillance caught her counting and discussing money from the supply, a Crown prosecutor has alleged in court.
Alina Yousif, 28, appeared in Albury District Court today for the first day of a jury trial after she was one of four arrested in 2017 following an operation targeting drugs linked to the Bandidos Motorcycle Club.
Ms Yousif has pleaded not guilty to taking part in the supply of an indictable amount of prohibited drug, participating and contributing to a criminal group and its activities and using false document to influence the exercise of public duty.
The court heard that Ms Yousif, who was not an initial target of a police operation, was arrested in late 2017 after police raided the North Albury house that she and her partner, Clinton Roy Parkinson, shared.
Today before Judge Sean Grant in Albury District Court, Crown prosecutor Paul Kerr told the jury that he would rely mostly on electronic surveillance, including mobile phone intercepts and security cameras at the property, that show Ms Yousif’s involvement in the drug supply.
Police allege Ms Yousif was involved in supplying 55.5 grams of the drug ice because she was caught counting and discussing the thousands of dollars linked to the drug amount.
They also allege Ms Yousif forged a fake driver’s licence and letter from the Indian Consulate to obtain an unrestricted driver’s licence for Wangaratta man Danny Kearney, who was also arrested in late 2017.
“Kearney needed a full licence to ride a 1500cc bike,” Mr Kerr said.
Kearney served a 12-month jail term for dishonesty offences and participating in a criminal group, court document state.
The court also heard Ms Yousif was employed by as a solicitor for the Aboriginal Legal Services at the time of the arrest.
“You’d expect Ms Yousif had an understanding of the criminal laws of NSW,” Mr Kerr said.
Counsel for Ms Yousif, David Edwardson, QC, did not make an opening statement.
The trial of Ms Yousif continues tomorrow.
Mr Parkinson, 36, remains before the courts while court documents state the fourth person, David Alan Oddy, 67, was sentenced in 2018 to a minimum of 16 months.