An alleged courier for the so-called "7-eleven" of the Illawarra's drug trade has been refused bail after a covert police operation netted $1.5 million in cocaine, meth and MDMA.
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Calderwood's Simon Sulseki, 23, and co-accused Salim Nehme, 26, were arrested on December 16 last year in Unanderra following a lengthy police investigation into a major drug ring in the area.
Suleski has been charged with 21 drug-related offences and fronted Wollongong Local Court on Monday where Magistrate Claire Girotto refused to grant him bail noting the charges were "extremely serious".
In documents tendered to court, police allege Suleski and Nehme were involved in a "sophisticated, well-planned and meticulously organised criminal syndicate" responsible for supplying a large commercial quantity of cocaine, methylamphetamine, MDMA and ecstasy.
Police seized up $1.5 million in drugs including more than 1.2kg of cocaine, almost 850g of methylamphetamine and a kilogram of MDMA and ecstasy tablets during the six-month investigation.
Police allege Nehme and Suleski were responsible for the negotiations, sourcing and supplying of the drugs after they came to the attention of the Wollongong criminal investigations drug unit in July last year.
It is alleged Nehme and Suleski worked "closely as partners" both receiving "financial benefit" from supplying drugs.
Police allege Nehme was captured through encrypted services under the user ID, the 'Godfather', describing himself and the operation as "the 7-eleven of the drug trade, a one stop shop".
As part of the investigation, police allege they uncovered the code names used by the syndicate including "rack" which referred to cocaine, "fry" meant methylamphetamine and "pills" for MDMA or ecstasy.
Police allege the men used sophisticated methods to avoid arrest, including multiple motor vehicles to attend drug transactions, telecommunication services under false details, encrypted devices, code names including the "Godfather" and different meeting locations for the supply and collection of drugs.
Telephone intercepts, surveillance devices, controlled operations and physical and electronic surveillance were used by police to catch the alleged drug suppliers.
Police allege between September 30 and December 16 an associate was supplied drugs from Suleski and Nehme, totalling $566,700.
Police will allege one of the largest drug transactions occurred on November 30 after an associate began negotiations with Nehme for the sale of 482 grams of cocaine, 482 grams of meth and 3000 MDMA pills in exchange for $266,800.
Police allege on December 16 at about 2.30pm, Suleski and Nehme went to an address in Unanderra and made the transaction.
On another occasion on November 5, police allege the men supplied 280 grams of cocaine and MDMA pills, in exchange for $78,500.
Police allege it was agreed that Nehme would meet the buyer at 2.30pm on November 18 in Unanderra to supply the drugs.
It is alleged about 2.20pm, Nehme and Sueski were observed driving along Waverly Street with Suleski's pregnant partner in his car.
Police observed Nehme get out of his car, walk over to Suleski before he was passed a white and gold paper gift bag through the driver's side window, which allegedly contained the drugs.
It is alleged Nehme then gave the gift bag to a person in a different car in exchange for the money that was hidden in a brown paper bag before Nehme left the car and the person drove away.
Suleski was arrested in December 16 before he was charged with four counts of supply prohibited drug - large commercial quantity, five counts of supply prohibited drug - commercial quantity, seven counts of supply prohibited drug - indictable, four counts of supply prohibited drug, and deal with property proceeds of crime.
Police seized meth, cocaine, cannabis, cash, an electronic stun gun, steroids and drug packaging from Suleski's Caldwood home.
Raids were also carried out in Cordeaux Heights, Bidwell and Arncliffe.
Nehme was charged with four counts of supply prohibited drug - large commercial quantity, six counts of supply prohibited drug - commercial quantity, five counts of supply prohibited drug - indictable, three counts of supply prohibited drug, and deal with property proceeds of crime. Nehme remains in custody.
In court on Monday, Suleski's defence barrister Greg James QC said his client would "ferry the drugs and money", claiming his role was "menial".
Mr James said Suleski needed to be at liberty to financially support his pregnant partner and their unborn child and claimed his client had only profited $4000 from his alleged involvement in the drug syndicate.
Mr James also said Suleski suffered from PTSD and noted there would be a long delay in the court proceedings.
He said the drugs found in his home were for personal use not for dealing or supplying.
Police prosecutor Sergeant James Sala opposed bail suggesting the prosecution case was strong and raised the potential concerns of Suleski still having access to drug money or that he could be pulled back into the syndicate to commit further offences.
Magistrate Girotto said Suleski was an "important link in the chain" and did not accept the fact his partner was pregnant and that he had employment as enough to show why his detention was not justified.
The case will return to court on February 17.
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