Apprentice tradie Sydney avoids jail after caught hiding drugs ‘in his buttocks’

A young apprentice electrician has narrowly avoided doing time in jail after police uncovered 4.8g of cocaine hidden ‘between the buttocks’.

Officers targeting drug dealers swooped on Gabriel El-Cheikh, 19, on June 6, after they tracked a Toyota Corolla looping around the streets of Bondi in Sydney’s east while another man went to an ATM to withdraw large sums of cash. 

The man taking out money was followed to the bathroom of the Hotel Ravesis where officers located two bags of while powder.

Meanwhile, other investigators pulled over the car El-Cheikh was travelling in and he and the driver were told to get out, the Daily Telegraph reported. 

‘Police escorted the occupants from the vehicle and conducted a search of the accused, where a plastic bag was felt concealed in his pants between his buttocks,’ court document state. 

‘Police asked the accused if he would remove the item, to which he agreed’.

Police also found a retractable sheaf knife, a tactical boot knife and $3650 in cash. 

El-Cheikh on Wednesday was convicted at Waverly Local Court of drug supply, dealing with the proceeds of crime worth less than $100,000 and possessing a prohibited weapon.

Magistrate Ross Hudson noted that the teen who had just graduated high school with an impressive Australian Tertiary Admissions rank of 87.2 was ‘obviously intelligent’ but made a ‘foolish decision’. 

 El-Cheikh on Wednesday was convicted of drug supply, dealing with the proceeds of crime worth less than $100,000 and possessing a prohibited weapon

‘He says he was providing for his family and his work became limited so to make up for the lack of shifts and downturn in employment he turned to drug supply,’ Magistrate Hudson said.

‘He said life became extremely stressful and he felt the burden to take care of his younger brother.

‘He is now assisting his family with a second job that is legal. He says he has full remorse … and full accountability of his actions. He says he thought, immaturely, it was quick a way to get money’.

El-Cheikh was sentenced to two community corrections orders with supervision.

One is for 12 months and other is for 15 months. He was fined $550. 

 Magistrate Ross Hudson noted that the teen who had just graduated high school with an impressive Australian Tertiary Admissions rank of 87.2 was ‘obviously intelligent’ but made a ‘foolish decision’. Pictured: Waverly Local Court