Drug gang's linchpin in court

[Tom]

The alleged linchpin of a group distributing and supplying amphetamines and cannabis in western Sydney faced court yesterday.

 

Detectives from Strike Force Currell allege John Zammit, 41, a car wholesaler from Shanes Park, and his associates supplied more than 147 kilograms of cannabis, which has an estimated street value of $1.3 million, since December last year.

 

They further allege 298 grams of amphetamine worth $60,000 was supplied between November and December last year.

 

Police allege Zammit is the linchpin in a large enterprise operating around Penrith. He faced Parramatta Bail Court yesterday charged with supplying a commercial quantity of a prohibited drug and an indictable quantity of amphetamines. Zammit denied the charges.

 

The court was told Zammit used his employee, Danny De-La-Garde, 43, and his former wife, Annette, to help him obtain and transport the cannabis.

 

Police further alleged Zammit was involved in supplying a commercial quantity of cannabis and methylamphetamine to Darren Robert Taylor, whom police described as one of Zammit's "generals".

 

Taylor, 29, of Wilberforce, also faced court charged with 10 offences. Police facts tendered to the court said that, in September 2004, police commenced Operation Clearwater to investigate the alleged large-scale distribution of amphetamines by Taylor and his brother, Nathan Taylor.

 

Taylor and Zammit were arrested on Friday morning.

 

Registrar Rosemary Davidson refused both men bail and adjourned the matter to Penrith Local Court tomorrow.

 

De-La-Garde was given conditional bail and will reappear in Liverpool Local Court on June 15.

 

Author:Louise Hall

Date:May 22, 2005

Source:The Sun-Herald

Copyright:Copyright © 2005. The Sydney Morning Herald.