A man accused of being the ringleader of a Border drug syndicate has been committed to stand trial on dozens of charges.
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The allegations against Mahmoud El-Zayat will be tested before a District Court judge and jury in Albury next month.
When asked what was happening with El-Zayat's case by magistrate Rodney Brender, Director of Public Prosecutions representative Lisa Hanshaw said the matter had reached the committal for trial stage.
He has especially highlighted the matters where the accused have remained in custody since their arrest on August 1, 2018, following cross-border raids by NSW and Victorian police.
El-Zayat was facing 37 charges, though one count of large commercial supply of a prohibited drug was withdrawn in Albury Local Court this week by Ms Hanshaw.
The 55-year-old is accused of supplying large amounts of drugs to undercover police during an operation.
Those remaining in custody are Kylie Pearce, El-Zayat's partner, Claudette Tannous, and Thomas Alfred Purtell.
Pearce had been expected to be committed for either sentence or trial this week, but defence lawyer Graham Lamond said he needed until next Tuesday to finalise the agreed facts with the DPP.
"Your honour, there has been a breakthrough to this, only late yesterday."
Mr Lamond said there would be a guilty plea, "but not yet. It's very much in my client's best interest that this matter is finalised as soon as possible."
