Controversial rehab centre Connect Global shuts down

An alleged drug dealer has been left in limbo amid the closure of a controversial rehabilitation centre patronised by a disgraced former television host.

An alleged drug dealer has been granted bail to live with his wife, who was previously convicted for possessing drugs, amid the closure of a controversial rehabilitation centre.

Omar Mahfouz faced the NSW Supreme Court on Wednesday to make a bid for bail after spending nine months in a residential rehabilitation centre that is now closing down.

The court was told he had completed his course at the controversial Connect Global facility in Swan Bay, north of Newcastle, which is permanently shutting its doors.

The facility made headlines last year when an alleged drug importer absconded after producing forged NSW Supreme Court documents.

Omar Mahfouz has been granted bail after being charged with large-scale drug supply.

NSW Attorney-General Michael Daley requested a review of the use of Connect Global as a rehabilitation facility in December following concerning allegations about its inadequacy.

Connect Global has previously housed a number of high-profile accused people, including convicted domestic violence offender and former television host Andrew O’Keefe.

“The simple fact is the rehabilitation centre is closing down,” Justice Anthony Coleman said on Wednesday.

“(Mr Mahfouz) is either going into the community on bail or he’s going to be bail refused.”

The court was told Mr Mahfouz is facing “very serious drug supply offences”, including four counts of supplying more than a large commercial quantity of a drug.

During a previous bail hearing earlier this year, which was abandoned, another Supreme Court Justice raised concerns about Mr Mahfouz returning to live with his wife Hela Yusofzai.

“There’s no allegation she was directly involved in the relevant offences but certain vehicles were registered in her name were alleged to have been involved,” Justice Coleman said.

The Connect Global rehabilitation centre in Swan Bay is closing down. Picture: Connect Global

Designer goods, which had been purchased with cash had been found at the couple’s home, the court was told.

According to court records, Ms Yusofzai has been charged with dealing with the proceeds of a crime worth less than $100,000 and remains before the courts.

The crown prosecutor said the proposal that Mr Mahfouz live with his wife was concerning because “he admits he had an issue with drugs” and Ms Yusofzai has a prior conviction for possessing drugs.

“If an address was proposed that didn’t involve the wife, then there may not be any opposition to the bail variation,” he said.

Another issue was the possibility of Mr Mahfouz associating with his wife’s family members who were allegedly involved in the drug offences, the court heard.

Mr Mahfouz’s lawyer Mark Dennis SC argued all potential risks could be nullified by imposing home detention with “tightly subscribed limitations”.

He said Ms Yusofzai had made “candid admissions about her associations with particular family” members and had been “equally candid about the fact her husband does not share those connections”.

Justice Coleman noted there was a concern Mr Mahfouz might commit further offences if allowed to live with his wife, and said it would have been “more satisfactory” if he could live elsewhere.

The rehabilitation centre has been recently embroiled in controversy. Picture: Facebook

Yet he found the risks could be mitigated by a number of very strict conditions, including that Mr Mahfouz comply with house arrest and wear an electronic monitoring device at all times.

Justice Coleman directed that all visitors to the house be pre-approved by police in order to ameliorate concerns about association with Ms Yusofzai’s family.

Under the conditions, Mr Mahfouz is only allowed to possess one internet-disabled phone and must provide the access details to police.

He is forbidden from ingesting alcohol or illicit drugs and may be subjected to compliance testing.