A man police say is a high-profile Sydney criminal who was arrested after bundles of cash were found in a fire extinguisher cabinet at his CBD apartment building has had his bail adjusted to allow him and his family to go on an overseas holiday.
Mohammed Alameddine was arrested earlier this year after police searched the 40-year-old’s home as part of a firearms ban enforcement check.
Police found nothing in the apartment, but when they searched two fire extinguisher cabinets in the common area of the apartment complex, they found $13,000 in cash and a cell phone.
After forensic investigation, police determined that Mr. Alameddine had a connection to the items. He was arrested a week later.
He was charged on two counts, namely breaching a serious crime prevention order and failing to comply with an order accessing digital evidence.
Mr Alameddine has previously denied guilt and will fight the charges at a hearing next year.
Earlier this year he was released on bail with strict conditions, including surrendering his passport.
He appeared in the High Court in Sydney on Friday, represented by his lawyer Michael Ayache, seeking to have his bail varied so he could go on an overseas holiday with his wife and family.
Alleged underworld figure Mohammed Alameddine, 40 (pictured), has been allowed to go on holiday abroad with his family after his bail was changed
“There is no doubt about the risk that (Mr Alameddine) would flee jurisdiction on the basis of this variation,” Judge Helen Wilson said.
The Public Prosecution Service did not oppose the change in bail.
Judge Wilson suspended some of Mr Alameddine’s bail conditions to allow him to travel abroad, including temporarily retrieving his passport.
He must provide the officer in charge of the investigation with directions and the addresses of his places of residence abroad.
Police reportedly found $13,000 in cash (pictured) and a cell phone in Alammedine’s apartment earlier this year
The Public Prosecutor’s Office did not oppose the modification of Alameddine’s bail in court on Friday, after he was arrested over the alleged finds of items in his apartment (Alameddine is pictured second from the right)