Accused cocaine smuggler now working as a bricklayer

An accused cocaine smuggler has appealed to the court to allow a change of jobs from bricklaying while he is on bail.

An accused cocaine importer has had an appeal to adjust his bail conditions so he would no longer have to work as a bricklayer refused.

Jose Ali, 28, is accused of importing nearly 500g of cocaine, which he allegedly attempted to collect from a post office using his own name and driver’s licence.

Mr Ali took up bricklaying as a result of his bail conditions imposed roughly six months ago.

His lawyer told the Supreme Court on Tuesday that Ali had developed carpal tunnel syndrome which “effectively prevents gripping required in order to lay bricks”.

Mr Ali was hoping to be allowed to return to work as an assistant at a motorcycle mechanic business – an industry in which he has over a decade’s experience.

Accused cocaine smuggler Jose Ali (right) has had an appeal to relax his bail conditions denied. Picture: Annie Lewis

Crown prosecutors opposed the new conditions on grounds including it would involve him travelling across Sydney in a company van to pick up and drop off motorcycles for clients.

Supreme Court Justice Desmond Fagan refused the change of conditions, saying it represented an “incremental” shift from what was initially imposed and would make it impossible for police to monitor his movements.

“His (alleged) involvement in this case … is strongly suggestive of his involvement in a criminal organisation of some extent,” Justice Fagan said.

“The nature of that alleged offence necessarily gives rise to a concern about the applicant … being engaged in employment which would have him driving all over the city.”

Police were tracking the shipment allegedly collected by Mr Ali on 18 February which had been detected by customs officers and switched with a decoy package.

The drugs, which were found to be 74.5 per cent pure, were concealed in coffee tins imported from France.

His lawyer described him as an “unwitting stooge” in the ploy, which saw him placed as the most likely person to be arrested should the drugs be intercepted by customs, which they were.

Mr Ali was initially granted bail under strict conditions, which prosecutors described as effectively amounting to “house arrest”.

The conditions were subsequently adjusted to allow Mr Ali to work as a bricklayer to help support his wife, who is pregnant with the couple’s second child.

The court heard Mr Ali has spent an unusually long period awaiting trial due to having not assisting investigators to unlock his phone

Mr Ali will face court again on 2 September for a charge certification.