Alleged drug dealers allowed to holiday overseas despite facing charges

Sun, sand and adventure — two alleged drug dealers will be allowed to experience it all this week, despite facing a raft of criminal charges. Laila Elali and Feda Merhi were nabbed with cocaine, cannabis and $26,000 alleged to be the proceeds of crime in Bondi.

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Two alleged eastern suburbs drug dealers will be allowed to enjoy some down time in Bali this week, despite facing a raft of criminal charges, a court has heard.

Laila Elali, 26, and Feda Merhi, 30, were nabbed with cocaine, cannabis and $26,000 alleged to be the proceeds of crime in Bondi as part of a sweeping police operation that saw 55 people arrested in May.

Dubbed the “dial a drug dealers” by a magistrate last Friday, the pair have today had their bail varied so they can holiday in Bali while their matters progress through the legal system.

Elali and Merhi were arrested as part of Strikeforce Northrop. Picture. NSW Police

The Waverley Local Court heard the officer in charge of the strike force that charged the pair “was not supportive” of letting them go on vacation to the popular Aussie tourism hotspot while charges alleging the pair were selling drugs in Bondi were outstanding.

Both Elali and Merhi have each put up a surety of $5000 with the court as part of the variation to their bail.

Police allege they found thousands of dollars concealed in envelopes in the front glove box and boot during a search of their white Kia on Bondi Rd last month.

Feda Merhi and Laila Elali (pictured with their solicitor leaving court) had booked the trip prior to their arrest last month. Picture: Anton Rose

Detectives also allege they found the drugs and a number of mobile phones in a hidden compartment in the car.

Both Elali and Merhi, who hid behind a Burberry scarf and a designer purse leaving court today, have been on bail since their arrest.

They are facing charges of dealing with proceeds of crime possessing cannabis and supplying cocaine though no pleas have yet been entered.