A Sydney businessman accused of being involved in a cocaine syndicate has been granted bail after a court heard his model girlfriend is struggling financially.
George Gerges was one of nine people arrested in September raids across the city in relation to their alleged involvement in a sophisticated cocaine ring.
The 31-year-old has been in custody since September 3 when he was charged with numerous offences, including supplying drugs, possession of steroids and participating in a criminal group.
In making an application for his release on bail at Central Local Court on Friday, his barrister Daniel Roff said Gerges' model girlfriend Emma Rose had been left to pay their $650 Bondi apartment weekly rent.
Meanwhile, their online fashion businesses were also destined to "struggle, if not fail", if Gerges was not released, Mr Roff submitted.
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"She is struggling to meet these financial concerns," he told the court.
According to Gerges' Facebook page, the 31-year-old is the managing director of Buy My Clothes - a second-hand clothes website - and also co-owns an online fashion label, Studio Niche.
Gerges is also involved in photography for his girlfriend's blog, and oversees five workers in a strata management firm, the court heard.
But Prosecutor Rosheehan O'Meagher argued police had a strong case against Gerges and if he was released he would continue to supply drugs.
She said they were also investigating more than 80,000 intercepted phone calls Gerges made over a four-month period.
However, Magistrate Les Mabbutt noted Gerges had no history of violence and said the time it would take for the DPP to go through their evidence would be "quite considerable".
In granting him bail, Mr Mabbutt ordered Gerges to provide $200,000 in surety and abide by a 8pm to 6am curfew.
He will also need to report to Bondi Police daily, and is not allowed to drive or use a mobile phone.
Gerges will next appear at Central Local Court on October 27 when his eight co-accused are also expected to have their matters mentioned.
