Eighteen alleged Alameddine gang members have faced court today after arrests were made yesterday in relation to a "dial-a-dealer" drug operation in Sydney's south-west.
The men, aged between 19 and 39, face dozens of charges relating to an alleged drug network used to deliver cocaine, MDMA and prescription drugs.
Court documents revealed details of the drug operation methodology which allegedly included 36 phones to carry out deals via encrypted messaging applications.
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Police stated the group used safehouses to prepare and package drugs before dropping bags of cocaine to Sydneysiders.
On one occasion, police allegedly monitored a number of syndicate members driving to Newcastle to deliver one kilogram of methamphetamine to an unnamed man.
Assistant Commissioner Mick Fitzgerald said yesterday an undercover police operation into the Alameddine crime family revealed the phones were bringing in profits of $250,000 a week and the phones could be linked to a number of murders.
The prosecution's evidence included the physical observation of members, phone intercepts and tracking of vehicles.
"There's a number of irrelevant things contained in the fact sheet at this stage but we only have limited instruction so we're bound by them," barrister Talal Krayem said outside court.
Most of the group, including several high-ranking members, were refused bail.
The cases will return to court in July.
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NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said yesterday police were confident they "have cut the head off the snake".
Deputy Premier Paul Toole said yesterday the criminal networks in the state have been a form of "suburban terrorism".
"These individuals are nothing more than scumbags," he said.
