Mohamed Gomaa befriended by alleged drug dealer Shayne Watson
A young man who was raised by a strict Muslim family was kicked out on the streets when he revealed he was bisexual. He took to the internet for companionship and was befriended by a man alleged to be at the heart of a major Sydney drug network.
Wentworth Courier
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A young man who was kicked out onto the streets by his strict Muslim family after revealing he was bisexual fell into the clutches of a drug ring after he connected with an alleged senior member online, a court has heard.
Mohamed Ahmed Mohamed Abdelsalam Gomaa, 21, of Old Bar appeared before Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday and pleaded guilty to one count of being found entering or leaving a drug premises.
Deputy Chief Magistrate Michael Allen heard the man who took the then homeless Gomaa under his wing, Shayne Michael Watson, was being tapped by police who had to apply to the Supreme Court for permission to undertake the covert surveillance.
Less than two weeks after Justice Richard Button granted the specialist officers in the Surry Hills Region Enforcement Squad leave to begin the surveillance, they raided a storage shed in Ultimo and a unit on Reservoir St, Surry Hills where Gomaa, Watson and a third man Kyle Hams were all arrested on February 26.
The Strike Force Korina officers allegedly seized almost $200,000 in cash, two litres of GBL, 28g of MDMA, ice and drug supply equipment.
Gomaa’s police fact sheet states he was spotted helping out with the drug transactions.
“The surveillance device captures the accused speaking with customers on the intercom system and allowing customers up into (the residence),” the documents read.
Prior to sentencing Gomaa, Magistrate Allen asked how on earth the young man had met Watson and was told it was via the internet.
“This man is an organised criminal. He used you,” Magistrate Allen said.
Magistrate Allen condemned the actions of the young man who he said was taken in by the “allure of fast money”.
“You were likely the unsophisticated hired help in this situation but make no mistake young man, if you decide to venture back into that conduct … you will be convicted and a very serious punishment handed down.
“Doors that are now open will close.”
Gomaa’s solicitor, Hallie Warnock of Legal Aid, told the court her client was going through one of the most difficult periods in his young life when the offence occurred.
She also highlighted Gomaa’s otherwise clean record.
Magistrate Allen sentenced him to an 18 month Conditional Release Order without conviction.
“Mr Gomaa, put as much distance between yourself and that man as you can,” Magistrate Allen said.
“I don’t care how charming you think he is, he is the target of a very sophisticated, high level police investigation.
“Police do not undertake those investigations against nice people.”
Watson will reappear in court later this month facing 16 charges including commercial drug supply and dealing in the proceeds of crime.