A SYDNEY man on remand since last month after police discovered a large drug cache was yesterday granted bail, with a magistrate saying it was a weak prosecution case against him.
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Mohamed Hariri, 24, appeared in Albury Local Court through a video link from Junee jail for the bail application by his solicitor Nicholas Hanna.
Hariri, another Sydney man and a woman were arrested after drugs were found in a car and at two motels on April 13.
Ronica Thong, 29, Hariri and Mahamed Omar Elabd, 29, were originally charged with possessing more than the commercial quantity of ecstasy.
But later, fresh charges relating to the hallucinogenic drug known as nexus 2cb were laid after the seized tablets were analysed.
Hariri and Elabd were arrested at the Rydges Hotel in Albury where police allege 1000 tablets were found after they heard the toilet flushing.
“It is a circumstantial case,” police prosecutor Sgt Andrew Pike conceded yesterday.
Mr Hanna said the woman was directly involved with two other quantities of drugs.
He said Hariri had no forensic link with the drugs found at the hotel and there was a strong inference they were in the woman’s possession.
Mr Hanna said the drugs could have been put in the hotel room in Hariri’s absence.
“At this stage, we know he has denied knowledge of the drugs,” Mr Hanna said.
“There is no forensic link between this accused and the drugs found at Rydges at this stage.”
Magistrate Tony Murray said it was a weak prosecution case.
Mr Murray said it was a serious drug matter, which meant a substantial surety was required.
Hariri’s family has to provide a $20,000 cash deposit, with him entering a self-bail of $20,000.
He has to report daily to the Merrylands police station in Sydney and abide by a 9pm to 7am curfew.
He is also banned from going within 15 kilometres of any international departure point and from contacting others who have been charged over the drugs.