Sydney drug raids: Dior stamped cocaine, guns, cash seized by police

Cocaine bricks stamped with ‘Dior’, along with other drugs, cash and firearms have allegedly been seized during raids across Sydney including Dover Heights and Rose Bay.

An alleged Bandidos bikie accused of commercial drug supply allegedly recruited a plumber and doting dad code-named “Goat” to help run cocaine, MDMA and meth across Sydney and the Illawarra.

Police allege Abbas Hijazi, 31, directed a sophisticated drug supply operation in Peakhurst, Menai, Rose Bay, Kensington and Bulli from last December until the day Strike Force Raptor detectives swooped on him and his alleged criminal group.

Hijazi now faces 32 charges of knowingly participating in prohibited drug supply pertaining to 1.313kg of cocaine, 1.685kg of methylamphetamine and 1.824kg of MDMA.

The Peakhurst man is also charged with directing and participating in a criminal group, concealing a serious indictable offence, using a mobile phone to menace and intimidating his own alleged drug runner Jake Davies.

Raptor Squad commander Jason Weinstein has alleged Hijazi took home all the proceeds from the alleged commercial drug supply.

Hijazi’s solicitor Rayan Kadadi did not apply for bail on his behalf and it was formally refused by Magistrate Joy Boulos.

However, Hijazi’s co-accused Ibrahim Kansou, 28, made a desperate bid for his liberty as his devastated family watched on from the courtroom.

Six men were charged and prohibited drugs, firearms and cash were seized following the resolution of a joint investigation between Southern Region Enforcement Squad and the Raptor Squad. Picture: NSW Police

The Revesby Heights plumber – allegedly codenamed Goat – faces 11 prohibited drug supply charges and one charge of participating in a criminal group over allegations he supplied 358.5g of cocaine and 420.6g of methylamphetamine in Peakhurst and Menai.

Barrister Jehane Ghabrial conceded the prosecution case for the eighth and ninth charges – supplying 56.2g of cocaine in Peakhurst, and 143.4g of MDMA in Menai – was strong.

“It’s a strong prosecution case in respect of one offence, but two different drugs at the same time,” Ms Ghabrial said in reference to the eighth and ninth charges.

“At the highest, it’s (alleged he is) a courier.”

However, Ms Ghabrial slammed the case against Kansou in the remaining offences – in which police allege Kansou was observed getting in and out of his co-accused James Booth’s car immediately before Booth allegedly supplied various drugs to undercover cops – as weak.

“If the police had a smoking gun, they would have stated that in the facts,” Ms Ghabrial said.

“They don’t have anything.”

Ms Boulos refused Kansou’s bail and he will return to Sutherland Local Court on June 24.

More than 100 specialised police executed 10 searches across Sydney to dismantle the alleged crime ring, which police allege has links to the Bandidos bikie gang, and seized 12.5kg of drugs – primarily cocaine, MDMA and ice – and gold guns.

Ibrahim Kansou

Several cocaine blocks seized were stamped with a Dior logo – which is also allegedly a code name for co-accused drug runner Davies.

Davies, 31, did not come up from the cells at Central Local Court and he was formally refused bail but court documents show he is accused of selling 6kg of meth and 4kg of ice over the five month operation surveilled by police.

The Cobbity man allegedly sold the drugs in large quantities from Rose Bay, Kensington and Menai in Sydney as well as Bulli in Wollongong and is facing 30 charges including allegedly directing the group.

Alfredo San Giorgio, 47, was denied bail in the same court, which heard he had no criminal record but a vast array of alleged underworld associates.

James Booth was one of six men charged on Wednesday following raids across Sydney.

James Booth, wearing Gucci slides, is taken into custody on Wednesday. Picture: NSW Police

His lawyer told the court Giorgio was accused of stashing the syndicate’s drugs at his apartment in Zetland where he would be notified and drop the parcels off to a waiting car downstairs.

“He lives with his brother and has done for a number of years,” solicitor Mark Klees said.

“He is originally from South Africa … the only surety I can offer is $1000 cash.”

The police prosecutor argued the case was “overwhelming” in their favour, that Giorgio had made admissions and was caught on CCTV footage as part of the controlled operation to bring down the group.

He is facing 12 charges where police allege he supplied meth and cocaine from the CBD apartment and dealt with $230,000 in allegedly dirty money gained from the group.

Rose Bay man Booth, 26, was charged with 25 counts of prohibited drug supply and participating in a criminal group and was refused bail at Waverley Local Court today.

Alfredo Giorgio is arrested following an extensive joint investigation into alleged criminal activities in the state’s south. Picture: NSW Police

An image of drugs seized during the raids on Wednesday. Picture: NSW Police

A Rolex watch was among property seized during the raids. Picture: NSW Police F

Drugs, firearms and cash were seized. Picture: NSW Police

The first arrest in the alleged syndicate occurred at a Bulli carpark in the state’s Illawarra region, where alleged syndicate “runner’’ David Coleman is accused of having 35 ounces of cocaine and ice worth $150,000 in a car.

The Miranda man – who police say is a Bandidos OMCG associate – was charged with 20 offences including large commercial prohibited drug supply, commercial drug supply, indictable drug supply, possessing unauthorised pistols and not keeping a firearm safely.

He was also refused bail at Wollongong Local Court.

Southern Region Enforcement Squad Acting Superintendent Joe Thone said drugs had a devastating impact on Wollongong and the South Coast region, like elsewhere in NSW.

“Drugs have a dramatic effect in our society and that’s why we target this kind of narcotics,” A/Supt Thone said.