Pokie, cocaine, cash and steroids seized in Sydney-wide raids

A western Sydney real estate agent is behind bars over his alleged role in a large cocaine supply network.

A Sydney real estate agent allegedly moonlighting as a cocaine delivery driver was partly feeding his habit, a court has heard.

Jessie James Dahdah appeared in Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday, 24 hours after he was arrested in a NSW Organised Crime Squad sting.

His legal team attempted to have the 29-year-old real estate agent’s name suppressed by an interim court order and argued the publicity could adversely affect the sale of properties going under the hammer.

Police seize a poker machine in raid. Source: Police Media

But the magistrate denied the application after the prosecutor argued it did not outweigh the interest in open justice.

Dahdah, who worked for Ray White Bankstown but was due to start a new job on Saturday, was arrested in Woolooware, where he lived with his in-laws on Friday morning during a series of raids in southwest Sydney.

On his Facebook page, Dahdah posted of his recent sales, from a $700,000 unit in Bankstown to $1.115 million home in Bass Hill, and happy snaps with buyers.

Court documents show he was allegedly delivering drugs around western Sydney — predominantly after office hours — between early January 15 and February 12.

Police allege he was a driver in a drug network that serviced territory stretching from Yagoona to Denham Court and Northbridge.

A 29-year-old man was arrested at his Woolooware home. Source: Police Media

The court heard police will allege the method involved customers leaving cash under a mat and Dahdah swapping it for cocaine.

He was allegedly working at the behest of 34-year-old Shannon Hughes, a former roommate.

Hughes was also arrested during Friday’s sting and is facing more than 60 charges over the supply of one kilogram of cocaine. A poker machine was also seized during the raids.

During Dahdah’s bail application, prosecutor Peter Archibald said Dahdah had been in contact with customers and under police surveillance.

“It’s clear he is well entrenched with people supplying prohibited drugs …” the sergeant said.

Dahdah was living at his fiance’s parents’ home when he was arrested and where police also found MDMA tablets on Friday.

Defence barrister Anthony Strik submitted affidavits from Dahdah’s fiance and parents speaking to the real estate agent’s character.

Two men will face court today after police raids across Sydney allegedly netted cocaine. Source: Police Media

A safe seized in raid. Source: Police Media

Mr Strik said his client participated in a police interview after his arrest and pointed police to a car where more drugs were located.

Dahdah also told police he used about five bags of cocaine a week and it appeared he was supplying to cover his own habit, Mr Strik submitted.

Dahdah’s communication with customers was not via encrypted communication but via SMS, the court heard, and the total supply was 19 bags containing about 0.7 grams of cocaine each.

“He is a professional and got tied up with the wrong acquaintance and now finds himself in this position,” he said.

Mr Strik proposed a suite of strict bail conditions, including that Dahdah live with his parents, abide by a 8am to 6pm curfew and report to police daily.

However, Magistrate Bailey found the conditions did not mitigate the risk Dahdah posed if released and refused bail.

“It’s quite clear for some period you were heavily involved in supplying these drugs to people,” he said.

“One doesn’t have to talk about the danger of drugs to the community other than to sit in the back of a court each and every day in any court in NSW.”

Dahdah, who was in custody at Surry Hills, held his head in his handcuffed hands as he was refused bail.

The case was adjourned to February 24 at Bankstown Local Court.

Hughes, who is charged with drug supply and proceeds of crime, did not apply for bail and his case was adjourned to the same day.