Police will rely on intercepted phone calls to prosecute some of the 18 alleged members of the Alameddine crime network who were arrested in sweeping gangland raids across Sydney's south-west on Tuesday.
The accused, who are aged between 19 and 39, are alleged to be low- to mid-ranking members of the group and have been charged with various offences including drug supply and benefiting from the proceeds of crime.
Following the arrests, senior police said the group's alleged drug distribution network had been crushed and there was now hope that violent feuds over the city's drug markets would come to an end.
The drug operations are said to be the cause of increasing gangland violence in Sydney which has claimed 13 lives in 18 months.
Among those charged are Abraham Zreika and Imad Mahfoud who were refused bail in Fairfield Court on Wednesday due to their potential risks to the community.
Mr Zreika, 21, is charged with supplying cocaine, dealing with more than $3,000 in proceeds of crime and possessing a balaclava with intent to commit an indictable offence.
His lawyer, Sophie Toomey, admitted he had been charged with "extremely serious offences" around working at a "safe house" associated with the Alameddine network which was used for packaging cocaine to on sell.
She said it was alleged Mr Zreika spent "considerable time in the safe house".
Mr Zreika is also accused of transporting 1 kilogram of meth to someone in Newcastle and possessing a balaclava to use in intended conflict against rival organised crime network members.
Police facts relating to the case reveal Mr Zreika was allegedly caught with the balaclava after officers received information that a group of males from the Alameddine crime network were going to meet at The Promendade in Old Guildford and engage in a violent confrontation.
It is alleged Mr Zreika is a member of the R4W (Ready for War) subgroup of the Alameddine organised crime network.
The Crown submitted he should not be granted bail because he may flee the jurisdiction but his lawyer strongly argued this wasn't even possible as he had made very little money through his alleged activities.
"He is still living with his mother in a rental and given pocket money every couple of days," Ms Toomey said.
The magistrate said police would rely on phone intercepts, electronic surveillance, physical surveillance and the movement of cars as part of their case.
Several other Zreikas — including Amir, Mouhammad, Zackaria and Abraham — have also been charged with various drug supply, criminal group and proceeds of crime offences.
Imad Mahfoud, 25, was also refused bail despite claims by his lawyer that he was a "low level runner" for the Alameddines.
The prosecution said their case was strong and would rely on a number of telephone intercepts between Mr Mahfoud and other alleged members of the crime network between July and October last year.
The magistrate said Mr Mahfoud was earning "thousands and thousands of dollars" from supplying bags of cocaine priced at between $250 to $300.
"Surely he might have had to pass some money on (to the crime network) but he wasn't doing it out of the kindness of his heart," Magistrate Glenn Walsh said.
He said he had no confidence that the accused would observe any bail conditions imposed on him and noted his criminal record which included charges of intimidating a police officer and taking drugs into a place of detention.
"There is real concern about the commission of further serious offences," he said.
Two other members of the network, Jalal El Jajie and Trent Jeske, are charged with even more serious offences and their lawyers did not apply for bail on Wednesday.
Mr El Jajie Jalal is charged with supplying 2.5 litres of Gamma butyrolactone (GBL) and 251 grams of cocaine. His lawyer say he will deny all allegations.
Mr Jeske is charged with supplying methamphetamine and knowingly or recklessly directing the criminal group.
He is alco accused of receiving benefits from said criminal activities, namely by way of a diamond encrusted Rolex watch.
Guns, drugs, cash and 36 encrypted mobile phones were seized during the 29 search warrants executed by Strike Force Sugarcane, which has led an investigation for almost a year.
Detective Chief Inspector Darren Bennett told the ABC on Wednesday drug operations were the "root cause" of the gangland violence which has claimed 13 lives in 18 months.
"We're not saying it's over now because it's impossible to say that, but what we're going to do is work hard on these people until they get the message that sort of violence is not acceptable," he said.
