Former Tigers and Bulldogs playmaker Brandon Wakeham charged over alleged drug supply
Former Canterbury and Wests Tigers playmaker Brandon Wakeham, his mate and an international businessman have been charged with drug supply following a major police investigation.
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Ex-Canterbury and Wests Tigers playmaker Brandon Wakeham has been released on bail after being charged with drug supply following a major police investigation.
The 25-year-old was arrested by police at Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles, Manly jersey in hand, after training at Brookvale Oval on Wednesday afternoon.
Police will allege Sydney-based Fiji gym owner Sam Amine directed Wakeham and his friend – content creator Nabil Allouche – in the ongoing supply.
The trio have been investigated over several months by the State Crime Command’s Drugs and Firearm Squad under Strike Force Verbena.
Police allegedly located a dedicated encrypted criminal communication device and other items relevant to their investigation at a Bexley apartment before Wakeham was charged with two counts of participating in prohibited drug supply and participating in a criminal group.
Solicitor Elias Tabchouri told Manly Local Court that there was “no evidence, based on the facts presented in the prosecution case, of any wrongdoing by Mr Wakeham”.
Mr Tabchouri said that information contained in telephone and surveillance warrants do not involve his client.
“They search his home and, guess what, they find nothing,” Mr Tabchouri told the court.
“(There are) question marks on his role in the offending.”
Mr Tabchouri told the court he was allegedly a “passenger in a car” when alleged offending took place.
In granting him strict conditional bail, Magistrate Robyn Denes said there was not a strong prosecution case in relation to some allegations against Wakeham.
She noted that he may have let others use his car on some occasions and could be allegedly involved in the “lower echelons” of the group behind the alleged offending.
Police alleged in documents tendered to court that Wakeham knowingly took part in the supply of 1kg of MDMA on February 2 at Kogarah.
It will also be alleged in court that on February 15, at Guildford West, Wakeham knowingingly took part in the supply of 56.54 grams of cocaine.
Police will also allege that he took part in a criminal group and contributed to criminal activity at Kogarah on February 2.
No pleas were entered.
The former NRL playmarker played 15 games for the Tigers last season before making the move to Manly’s feeder club Blacktown in hopes of a first grade return.
Prior to his stint with the Tigers, Wakeham appeared in 25 games for the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs from 2019 to 2022.
“The Manly Warringah Sea Eagles have been made aware of an incident involving Brandon Wakeham, a Blacktown Workers contracted player, who has been arrested and charged on drug-related matters,” the club said in a statement.
“It confirms that it has notified the NRL integrity unit that it will fully cooperate in all aspects of the matter.”
Wakeham’s mate Allouche, 24, was also arrested in Chester Hill just after 11.30am on Wednesday.
Police allegedly uncovered 1kg of MDMA, 56 grams of cocaine and approximately $50,000 in cash while searching his car.
Allouche was taken to Bankstown Police Station where he was charged with 12 offences including supplying an unregistered pistol, participating in a criminal group, five counts of knowingly dealing with crime proceeds and five drug supply offences.
Allouche appeared via audiovisual link at Bankstown Local Court on Tuesday as his brother and mother gathered in the courtroom.
His lawyer argued her client had “never stepped foot inside a police station let alone a correctional facility” and was a dedicated father.
The court heard Allouche allegedly played the “role of a driver which is towards the lower end” of the alleged criminal syndicate.
“If he is let out on bail, he’s the last person people will want to recruit for a drug syndicate,” she said.
She said her client’s father offered a $100,000 surety and would supervise his son “every hour of the day”, arguing strict bail conditions including not contacting any of his co-accused would mitigate any risks to the community.
Allouche – a video content creator – is depicted on social media rubbing shoulders with Sydney rappers Chillinit, Ay Huncho and Younglipz.
It is not suggested the rappers have any involvement with this alleged supply.
Prosecutors opposed Allouche’s release as the 24-year-old was alleged to have been “quite involved” in the criminal syndicate by delivering drugs across Sydney.
The prosecutor said while he accepted Allouche was a young father with no criminal record, the allegations include the uncovering of “large sums of money and firearms involved which puts the community at risk”.
Magistrate Glenn Walsh said he disagreed with the “categorisation of this applicant as a simple driver” as the alleged offending behaviour had occurred for most of this year throughout Sydney.
Mr Walsh said some of the drugs had a purity of 78 per cent, which meant the syndicate was “very close towards the top end of the person who had obtained the cocaine from overseas”.
Mr Walsh denied Allouche bail as he argued the crown case was “overwhelming” and the fact sheet showed the 24-year-old had a “sustainable involvement” in the distribution of drugs.
Strike force detectives also stopped a vehicle on Alfred St in Ramsgate where they arrested Sydney businessman Sam Amine.
During a subsequent search warrant at a Sans Souci property, police allegedly located and seized electronics, prohibited drugs and other items relevant to their investigation.
Court documents indicate Allouche and Amine both reside at the same Sans Souci address.
In addition to the items seized, the NSW Crime Commission froze approximately $10,000,000 in assets linked to the 47-year-old.
Amine was taken to Kogarah Police Station where he was charged with 10 offences, including knowingly directing activities of a criminal group, knowingly dealing with proceeds of crime, supplying an unregistered pistol and seven drug supply offences.
Amine did not appear in Sutherland Local Court to apply for bail, and solicitor Luke Wilson asked for the matter to be adjourned.
The trio will return for brief status at the Downing Centre on July 16.
Inquiries under Strike Force Verbena continue.
Anyone with information that may assist investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000.
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