Detox Worker On Drug Charge
Newcastle Herald
Thursday December 7, 2000
THE former manager of a Newcastle drug detox unit has told a jury he was unaware he had 14.5gm of heroin in his pants pocket.
Alan Mousallem, 33, of Wyongala Crescent, Leumeah, in Sydney, has pleaded not guilty to supplying heroin at Beresfield last year.
Mr Mousallem has represented himself during a trial at East Maitland District Court.
The jury retired yesterday afternoon after hearing three days of evidence and closing arguments from Crown prosecutor Peter Barnett and Mr Mousallem.
It will resume its deliberations at 9.30am today.
Lower Hunter police arrested the accused on the F3 Freeway near Beresfield about 8.15am on November 5.
A passing motorist contacted police after seeing the accused slumped over the wheel of his car, parked on the side of the road.
The arresting police said a set of electronic scales, a coffee grinder containing traces of the prohibited drug methyl-amphetamine, a calculator, tape, scissors, epsom salts and glucose were found in the car.
A plastic bag containing the heroin was found in the pocket of the accused's track suit pants.
The accused said the first he knew of the drugs was when police searched him.
Judge David Freeman said the real argument in the case was whether the accused knew he had possession of the heroin.
`(The accused) said he was merely being used as a courier without his knowledge or permission to take the drugs to his brother,' Judge Freeman said.
Bilal Mousallem died soon after his brother's arrest.
© 2000 Newcastle Herald