Ali Maroush: Thomastown dad allegedly caught at Heidelberg West drug hotspot

A Thomastown man who allegedly broke curfew to visit a Heidelberg West drug hotspot found himself arrested for the fourth time in six weeks. And it wasn’t the first time he allegedly broke COVID-19 restrictions.

Maroush was arrested for the fourth time in six weeks. (Generic photo)

A Thomastown man was arrested for the fourth time in six weeks after police allegedly caught him visiting a Heidelberg West drug hotspot after curfew.

And the 29-year-old tradie was arrested while he was on bail for a series of alleged crimes, including carrying a weapon.

Ali Maroush fronted Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court on Friday, August 28, to apply for bail, having been hit with charges for drug trafficking.

Ali Maroush has been granted bail.

The court heard police saw Maroush driving on Alamein Rd, Heidelberg West, before he parked in the driveway of a property known to police as a “high drug activity” hotspot.

Leading Senior Constable Lee-anne Meade said the bricklayer was extremely nervous when police approached him, before they found he had 3.7g of methamphetamine, five prescription tablets and a set of scales.

The court heard it was the fourth time he had been arrested since July 19 — when he was also caught allegedly breaching the COVID-19 restrictions.

Maroush was allegedly found with two others in a parked car at BP petrol station in Wollert about 11.55pm with cannabis in a satchel.

He was also on bail after he was pulled over on Mountview Rd, Lalor on March 22 and allegedly found to have a gold coloured extendible baton with a window breaking tip in his pants pocket.

Maroush was also allegedly caught drug driving on Childs Rd, Mill Park on October 1 and is facing charges over matters which cannot be published, the court heard.

Leading Senior Constable Meade told the court the father-of-three was a risk of offending and of not reappearing before court if granted bail.

Lawyer Peter Schumpeter argued the police case that Maroush had been trafficking drugs was weak, saying the matter would take some time to resolve, meanwhile custody was particularly onerous because of COVID-19 restrictions.

He said Maroush had not had a chance to engage with drug treatment

Magistrate Stephen Ballek agreed there was not a strong case for the alleged trafficking, but granted bail.

Mr Ballek said he had “some hesitation” about releasing Maroush but ultimately believed strict conditions could make the risk acceptable.

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