Azzam Yaghi jailed for selling drugs to pay for rehab at Niagara Lodge
A “street level” dealer who was bailed to a Central Coast rehabilitation centre has been sentenced for supplying drugs while in the facility to pay for his own rehab.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A “street level” dealer who was bailed to a Central Coast rehabilitation centre has been sentenced for supplying drugs to continue to fund his stay at the facility.
Azzam Yaghi, who was 43 at the time of the offences, was sentenced in Gosford District Court on Friday to three years and three months in jail for supplying prohibited drugs and dealing with the proceeds of crime during his stay at the now defunct Niagara Lodge.
Yaghi’s lawyer told the court his client had committed the offences for “financial reasons” because he needed to make payments in order to continue his occupation and rehabilitation at the facility.
Yaghi’s life spiralled out of control in his early 30s following his divorce and mother’s cancer diagnosis which resulted in him turning to harder drugs, the court heard.
He had been staying at the lodge as part of his bail conditions as a result of other drug and firearm charges.
Yaghi’s lawyer told the court his client was pressured by the caretaker to “pay extra money” to stay at the lodge.
A search warrant was executed on the premises of the Niagara Lodge on August 19, 2021.
During the raid, police seized two Tommy Hilfiger shoulder bags containing $53,000 in cash, various mobile phones, several plastic bags containing a crystal substance, including one weighing 146g, a number of 600ml bottles containing a clear liquid and several large syringes.
Yaghi’s DNA was matched to swabs taken from Tommy Hilfiger bags, several of the plastic bags that were analysed and found to contain meth and a bottle containing 385ml of Gamma-Butyrolactone — also known as GBL.
The court also heard that between July 18, 2022 and August 19, 2022, Yaghi supplied methamphetamine and GBH to clients.
The court heard Yaghi told his psychologist the reasons for his continued supply of prohibited drugs was to pay for his rehab and legal fees.
“There was nothing impulsive about the offending, the events inherently required planning,” Judge Alister Abadee said during sentencing.
“He made a calculated decision to offend.”
Yaghi will be eligible for parole on December 22 this year.
During the raid on August 19, 2021, the caretaker of the Niagara Lodge, Ross William Shepherd was arrested.
He faced Gosford Local Court on July 5, 2022 for having a Taser in his bedroom and was sentenced to a conditional release order without conviction on the charge of possessing or using a prohibited weapon.
Two other charges of knowingly allow premises to be used as drug premises and possess restricted substance (human growth hormone) were withdrawn.
During an interview with police, Shepherd stated that “he had lost control of the facility and its functions” as a drug and rehabilitation centre.
More Coverage
Originally published as Azzam Yaghi jailed for selling drugs to pay for rehab at Niagara Lodge
Cops, judges clash: Law & disorder as courts go soft on youth bail
Senior judges have slammed toughened youth bail laws, but police want them to be even stronger to protect regional towns constantly under siege from under-age crime.
How the government plans to fix Northern Beaches bus crisis
MPs and locals say the Northern Beaches bus system is in ‘crisis’ between growing queues, cancellations and commute blowouts. Plans to get buses back on the road and drivers behind the wheel could be the key to ending the chaos.