Tara Cosoleto, AAP
A man accused of being second-in-charge of an illicit tobacco syndicate has been granted bail because of the significant delays expected in the case.
Isse Isse, 26, sought bail in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday October 31, a week after his co-accused and alleged syndicate ringleader Nazir Haddara, 25, was bailed.
Isse was arrested at his West Footscray home on October 22 and charged with 20 offences including directing the activities of a criminal organisation, making threats to kill and unlawful assault.
It’s alleged Isse and Haddara directed lower-ranked members to sell and distribute illegal tobacco and vapes at Victorian retail stores leased by the syndicate.
The court was previously told more than one million illicit tobacco sticks, 50kg of loose leaf tobacco and 10,440 e-cigarettes have been seized by investigators since January.
It’s estimated the loss of revenue to the Commonwealth is more than $2.5 million.
Isse is also accused of ordering another man to carry out a ram raid on a Wonthaggi tobacco business that was in competition with one of the syndicate’s stores.
It’s alleged Isse also assaulted and threatened to kill and rape a man in an effort to recover $20,000 allegedly taken from the syndicate.
Detective Senior Constable Jessica Keenan told the court Isse was originally a lower-ranked member who rose to second-in-charge and enforcer of the syndicate.
The detective urged Magistrate Michelle Hodgson to refuse bail because Isse was an unacceptable risk to the safety of the community and prosecution witnesses.
“He has demonstrated he is capable of carrying out serious offences,” Det Sen Const Kennan said.
But Isse’s barrister Lee Ristivojevic argued her client should be released because he had no prior convictions, a stable bail address with his parents and a $100,000 surety put forward by a family friend.
It could also be years before the case went to trial and there were a number of “defendable allegations” that needed to be tested in court, Ms Ristivojevic said.
Ms Hodgson said the prosecution’s case could not be described as weak but she accepted there would be significant delays before the matter reached trial.
“The delay is outside the usual given the complexity of the investigation,” the magistrate said.
She found that delay, Isse’s lack of prior convictions and his strong ties to the community were compelling reasons to grant bail.
Some of Isse’s family members celebrated in court after the decision was handed down and waved at the 26-year-old as he appeared via video link from custody.
Isse is due to return to Melbourne Magistrates Court in March for a committal mention hearing.
