Alleged bikie associate Ismael Ratel to defend charges in $1 million drug case, court told

The NSW Supreme Court has heard an alleged bikie associate accused of trafficking a million dollars’ worth of drugs in western Sydney will defend the charges.

Ismael Ratel will remain in custody on remand after his Supreme Court bail application was refused.

One of two alleged Comanchero bikie associates arrested over the discovery a $1 million worth of drugs and a 9mm pistol in western Sydney will defend the charges at trial, a court has heard.

Ismael Ratel and Omar Terkmani were arrested by police following a months-long investigation in which they carried out surveillance on an address in Punchbowl allegedly frequented by the two men, as well as the movements of a Toyota Hiace van registered in Terkmani’s name.

Ratel was behind the wheel of the van and Terkmani in the rear compartment when it was stopped by officers at Bankstown in December last year.

Detectives allegedly discovered 440g of MDMA and 650g of methamphetamine secreted in a hidden compartment cut into the vehicle’s chassis.

They subsequently obtained a warrant to search the Punchbowl house, allegedly uncovering a further 469g of meth and 577g of MDMA, some of which was packed into individual, ounce-sized bags.

Ismael Ratel. Picture: Supplied

Police also allegedly found a self-loading pistol in a bathtub in the house.

Ismael and Terkmani were arrested and charged with commercial drug supply, dealing with the proceeds of crime and firearms charges and remanded in custody.

Terkmani sought bail in the NSW Supreme Court in June but was unsuccessful.

Meanwhile, Ratel applied for bail in the same court on Tuesday, where it was revealed he intends to fight the allegations and could lay blame at the feet of his co-accused.

Justice Hamill said that Ratel’s legal team had argued there was no DNA or fingerprint evidence linking their client to the drugs or the pistol, whereas Terkmani’s DNA was allegedly found on two sets of electronic scales located in Punchbowl premises.

“The applicants case is he was not in possession (of the drugs) and it seems his case will be that the drugs belonged to Mr Terkmani,” Justice Hamill said.

Police found $1m worth of drugs when

they pulled over the Toyota Hiace van. Picture: NSW Police

Ratel’s barrister argued in court that his client needed to be released on bail so he could access specialist medical treatment he was not receiving in custody.

The court heard he been involved in a serious car accident in February 2021 that left him in hospital on life support for two months, and for which he required ongoing medical treatment.

Ratel’s legal team said he had made four requests in four months to see a doctor for escalating pain, but was still languishing on a waiting list.

Justice Hamill refused to release Ratel on bail, noting the case against him appeared “extremely strong”.

However, he was also highly critical of the delayed medical attention.

Ismael Ratel arrested by strikeforce raptor after allegedly being found with a large amount of drugs and a 9mm pistol in a car alongside Omar Terkmani , ID CONFIRMED

“The evidence demonstrates there has been a failure to provide Mr Ratel with optimum or even adequate medical care,” he said.

“I recommend to Corrective Services … that an appointment be made with a doctor as a matter of urgency.”

A spokesperson for Justice Health said it was unable to comment on the treatment provided to individual patients for privacy reasons, but said there was a hierarchy of access for patients, according to their clinical needs.

“As is the case for all public health services, waiting times to access doctors fluctuates according to demand and acuity of patients,” the spokesperson said.

“All requests to see a doctor are triaged to ensure people are seen according to their clinical need.”

Ratel’s matter will return to Burwood Local Court in October.