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An accused tobacco war ringleader Majid Alibadi is seeking to be released from custody just days after $270,000 was allegedly delivered to his home, a court has been told.
Mr Alibadi, 25, smiled at loved ones as he was escorted into the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday wearing a matching grey Nike sweatshirt and sweatpants for a second bail application.
Police allege he is a trusted leader of the “Hamad Syndicate” in Melbourne’s northern suburbs, carrying out orders from Kazem ‘Kaz’ Hamad, who was deported from Australia in July last year.
Mr Alibadi was arrested in January and accused of orchestrating a series of four firebombings, which caused millions in damage to a Docklands restaurant, Glenroy tobacco shop and Tullamarine wedding venue in the second half of last year.
He is facing 24 charges, including nine counts of arson and five counts of recklessly engaging in conduct that places persons in danger of death.
In court, Detective Leading Senior Constable Matthew Lindsay of the Luna Taskforce revealed a covert device had been installed in Mr Alibadi’s car for three months as police investigated the desecration of Meshilin Marrogi’s crypt.
Ms Marrogi was the sister of convicted murder and drug kingpin George Marrogi — who led what Detective Lindsay described as the rival “Marrogi Syndicate”.
Mr Alibadi has not been charged with any offences related to the July 30 Preston cemetery burglary.
The Luna Taskforce was set up in October last year after more than two-dozen firebombing attacks swept the state, allegedly over control of the illicit tobacco trade.
Detective Lindsay alleged the covert device recorded extensive conversations with Mr Hamad on “everything from illicit tobacco importation to girlfriends”.
“It’s the belief of police that Mr Alibadi acts as the agent of the syndicate in Melbourne,” he said.
“The accused is a leader who receives tasking from top level members.”
The court was told he was bailed on February 19 under the condition he wear a tracking device and comply with all conditions of the Australian Forensic Therapeutic Rehab group (AFTR) program.
But Mr Alibadi was rearrested less than two weeks later after a police raid on his home allegedly found him not wearing the wrist-based tracker.
Detective Lindsay told the court police were now probing AFTR as part of a perjury investigation and alleged the wrist device had no tracking, no alert if tampered with and could be removed.
He further alleged that on April 26, a parcel was delivered to Mr Alibadi’s Epping home containing more than $270,000.
The court was told Mr Alibadi’s brother was arrested and interviewed, claiming the money had come from Mr Hamad’s brother, Maytham, to pay his “legal fees”.
Detective Lindsay confirmed no charges had been laid over the alleged cash parcel.
Detective Lindsay said Mr Alibadi had been charged with new offences, including allegedly facilitating the arson of two cars following a botched Donnybrook home invasion on January 7.
He said the home’s resident, who allegedly had links to organised crime, shot and killed a home invader, with the survivors allegedly reaching out to Mr Alibadi.
“Our friends say to burn them,” the accused man allegedly said after speaking with Mr Hamad.
Detective Lindsay told the court police will allege Mr Alibadi was unemployed but had expensive tastes – including a $30,000 shopping trip at Fendi in one day.
“Apart from routine purchases, he is known to frequent expensive restaurants; Nobu was a favourite,” the detective said.
“He has a lifestyle of alibis.”
Detective Lindsay strenuously opposed bail, saying police were concerned he may be a threat to witnesses, had access to “significant” quantities of cash, and the means to flee the country.
He said the proprietor of the Glenroy tobacco shop had allegedly received a death threat on February 2 demanding he rescind his police statement.
Mr Alibadi’s barrister, Dermott Dann KC, told the court his client had a “prima facie” entitlement to bail and had been approved for a three-month stint at a residential rehabilitation facility.
“It’s an unusual situation … he retains that bail on the vast majority of the charges,” he said.
He told the court his client had experienced a 23-hour lockdown in prison due to concern for his safety, flagging it could be two and a half years until a trial.
Mr Dann said his client was not alleged to have committed any further offences since his first grant of bail and had shown a willingness to receive mental health and drug treatment.
He argued that while on bail for the AFTR rehab program, he was described as a “model client”.
The hearing was adjourned by Magistrate Megan Casey after prosecutors raised scepticism of the quality of an assessment of Mr Alibadi’s suitableness for residential rehabilitation.
“All I’ve been given is a two-page letter … given that the defence haven’t seen any assessment that goes beyond this I’m highly sceptical,” prosecutor Neville Rudston said.
“The last provider is undergoing a criminal investigation.”
Mr Alibadi is expected to return to court for a continuation of the bail application next week.
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