Cocaine party drug bust accused fails to show up to court
A taxi driver allegedly caught with cash and 13g of cocaine during a Sydney crackdown failed to appear in court today.
A Sydney taxi driver who was one of 84 people arrested on cocaine charges in a citywide police crackdown on the Christmas party drug market has failed to show up for court.
But a 25-year-old also arrested in the same police swoop has pleaded guilty to supplying drugs.
Molipopo Leota, 25, of Marsden Park in Sydney’s west, appeared briefly in court to admit to having more than 13 grams of cocaine and $1600 in his car while driving around the streets of Sydney’s CBD last November.
Police arrested Leota after searching a Toyota Hilux at the intersection of Elizabeth Street and Martin Place on November 29, finding more than 13 grams of cocaine and cash in the vehicle.
Leota pleaded guilty to a string of charges and will be sentenced in April.
Taxi driver Camille Daoud failed to appear in the same Downing Centre court today on two charges.
Police allege they stopped Mr Daoud’s taxi on Lime Street, Barangaroo, on November 30 last year and found two mobile phones, $3400 cash and more than 13 grams of cocaine in a hidden compartment.
He was charged with supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity), and dealing with property proceeds of crime.
The men were charged in a police swoop which made up the largest number of arrests in one operational phase since the NSW Police launched Strike Force Northrop two years ago.
Northrop seized more than 350 grams of cocaine, plus MDMA, cannabis and cash in targeted raids over three weeks in November and December ahead of the festive season.
Among the others arrested were a RAAF member, a pregnant woman and 23-year-old Instagram model Vera Zinger, who will face court next week.
Police say they are amazed at how brazen people doing drug transactions in open crowded locations have become.
“Officers were astounded by how brazen some of these alleged drug transactions have become, often taking place in highly-visible and crowded locations in Sydney’s CBD and surrounding suburbs,” Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Bell said.
“This operation once again shows that cocaine supply and possession is not limited to one specific group of people, with several individuals from well-regarded professions in the community among those now before the courts.”
Among others arrested were real estate agent Alex Papadimatos, 22, charged with supplying 10g of cocaine.
Insp Bell said detectives from Northrop would now target bigger players.
“We want everyone to be able to enjoy the festive and holiday season sensibly and safely, but sadly there are some in the community that continue to ignore the warnings,” Insp Bell said.
“Unfortunately, some of these people will now spend Christmas behind bars or are likely to start 2020 with a criminal record.
“Those who continue to flout the law should know that these operations will continue, and those involved will be charged and put before the courts.”