Bojangles owner facing 150 charges on illegal grog supply in Alice Springs

AN alleged grog runner and bar owner charged with the illegal supply of alcohol is facing more than 100 charges

The man, who is not in custody, will front court again in September.

AN alleged grog runner and bar owner charged with the illegal supply of alcohol in Alice Springs is facing 150 charges, a court has heard.

Anthony Zaki Habib, 59, who owns Bojangles Saloon, fronted the Alice Springs Local Court on Monday and requested an adjournment of at least five weeks.

“Your Honour, I need to get more material documents from my accountant for Mr McBride (lawyer),” he said.

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Prosecutor Bethany Nolan said she did not oppose the adjournment and there was a lot of material to review.

“There are 150 charges on the substantive file,” she said.

“Your Honour, this is a file that is very substantive and there is a lot of video material. I do note to the court there is a lot of material that Mr McBride will need to review.”

According to police, Mr Habib was allegedly using a commercial passenger vehicle service to illegally sell alcohol to members of the public.

Acting Superintendent Peter Dash, of the Crime Prevention and Engagement Division, said the secondary supply of alcohol to vulnerable people across the Northern Territory was an ongoing concern to the Northern Territory Police and community at large.

“Northern Territory Police will investigate all information provided in relation to secondary supply, and continue to work to hold to account those who choose to profit from this nefarious activity,” he said. “Those engaging in the secondary supply of liquor are facilitating alcohol-related harm within our community.”

In May, Bojangles Saloon was issued with a 48-hour suspension notice following the arrest of Mr Habib.

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Section 258 of the Liquor Act 2019 allows the Commissioner of Police, or their delegate, to suspend a licensed premises from trading for a period of up to 48 hours.

Anyone who has information in relation to the secondary supply of alcohol is urged to call police on 131 444 or report anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

The matter before Judge Meredith Huntingford will return to court in September for a mention.