In 2023, our client was working at his barber shop in Wollongong when he was arrested by the NSW Police and charged with the following offences:

1. Supply prohibited drug, contrary to section 25(2) of the Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act 1985 (NSW);
2. Supply prohibited drug on an ongoing basis, contrary to section 25A(1) of the Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act 1985 (NSW); and
3. Supply prohibited drug on an ongoing basis, contrary to section 25A(1) of the Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act 1985 (NSW).

The NSW Police alleged that our client was using his barber shop to supply cocaine to his customers.

The maximum penalty for each charge is 20 years imprisonment.

Our Sydney criminal lawyer immediately began negotiating with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP). At the same time, our client commenced addressing his own personal drug use by attending rehabilitation.

After months negotiating both the charges and the facts of the case, the ODPP accepted our Sydney criminal lawyer’s offer.

On 13 December 2024 at the Wollongong Local Court, the ODPP withdrew 2 of the charges against our client, on the basis that our client pleaded guilty to the following offences:

1. Supply prohibited drug (286.58g of cocaine), contrary section 25(1) of the Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act 1985 (NSW); and
2. Deal with property suspected of being proceeds of crime ($6,950), contrary to section 193C(2) of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW).

For more information, see:

Fresh cuts: Woonona barber sold almost 300g cocaine from his salon, Illawarra Mercury, 13 December 2024; and

Black diamond barber shop owner pleads guilty to drug supply, the Daily Telegraph, 13 December 2024.

On 5 July 2025 our client  came before the Wollongong District Court for sentence. During the sentence proceedings, a large amount of evidence was presented to the Judge that showed the “extraordinary” effort of our client’s rehabilitation.

After reading the subjective material relating to our clients’ background and personal circumstances, the Court agreed with our Sydney criminal lawyers’ submissions that the community would be best served by not sending our client to prison.

The Judge then sentenced our client to an Intensive Corrections Order (ICO) for 3 years.

This means that our client will serve his jail sentence in the community, allowing him to continue with his rehabilitation.

For more information, see: Woonona barber who sold cocaine walks free after sentencing, Illawarra Mercury, 5 July 2025.