An alleged high-ranking Alameddine associate has been refused bail after he was accused of planning a failed murder attempt on rival Ibrahem Hamze.
Joseph “Jo Fresh” Vokai faced the NSW Supreme Court on Tuesday charged with two counts of knowingly directing the activities of a criminal group, contributing to criminal activity, dealing with proceeds of crime and conspiracy to commit murder.
The 26-year-old was arrested in December 2021 after he presented himself to police and has been in custody ever since.
Criminal barrister Avni Djemal applied for bail on behalf of Vokai on Tuesday, putting up a $50,000 surety and suggesting conditions akin to house arrest, including an electronic ankle bracelet.
The court heard Vokai is alleged to be the leader of islander gang KVT, which has allegedly been used as “muscle” by the Alameddine organised crime network.
He is alleged to have planned an attempted hit on rival gang boss Hamze at North Sydney on August 14, but disappeared just before police were planning to charge him.
Detective Senior Constable Lauren Bennett told the court police searched for him before issuing a warrant for his arxjmtzywrest in December.
Constable Bennett said Vokai had close relations with Masood Zakaria, the second highest ranking member of the Alameddine clan, and who has not been seen since December.
“We had a number of surveillance devices in play, with electronic evidence they both left the jurisdiction … had conversations about it and fled the jurisdiction, and we were unaware it was unlikely we would find them,” Constable Bennett said.
However, on December 29 Vokai handed himself in to police. Zakaria’s whereabouts are currently unknown.
Vokai’s wife, Tiffany Papadakis, told the court she had never seen a gun or large amounts of money since being married to her husband.
She said she works as a barber and owns a gift business, and is willing to put forward $50,000 of her savings for Vokai to leave custody.
“I would be heartbroken if he breached bail; I just don’t see my husband doing that to me. I would be absolutely shocked,” Ms Papadakis said.
Ms Papadakis said her husband would be running a personal training business from the couple’s home if he were to be released on bail.
“I don’t have knowledge of the industry, but we have a balcony outside that he’s free to use for it,” she said.
The crown prosecutor said there was an “unacceptable” risk Vokai would commit offences if he were released, as he was allegedly involved in the overall Alameddine organised criminal network.
He said there were various conversations caught on surveillance, where Vokai and Zakaria allegedly discussed money, drugs and organising legal representation for members of their alleged groups.
The court heard the pair also allegedly talked about the sale of drugs in early 2020, as well as “stealing money from drug dealers”.
“Taking care of their people, taking care of their boys,” the prosecutor said.
“He had a PT career for six months; that’s not what you would expect from a person who can help people with senior counsel representation.”
Mr Djemal said there was nothing to suggest his client was living a “lavish lifestyle”.
Justice Robert Beech-Jones said the ongoing dispute between the Alameddine and Hamzy clans was “violent”.
He told the court Vokai was recorded in February 2020 talking to an unknown male in relation to $100,000 cash, while other conversations were recorded of him offering to pay large sureties for people seeking bail.
“Making arrangements to assist a person to obtain legal representation and paying large sums is not illegal … it shoes he has the means and ability to deploy significant sums of money … where it does not suggest he has illegitimate sources of funds of his own,” Justice Beech-Jones said.
Justice Beech-Jones refused bail.
