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IN PHOTO: Pedestrians pass a sign protesting against a proposed needle exchange at "The Block" in Sydney's suburb of Redfern. Pedestrians pass a freshly painted sign protesting against a planned needle exchange for drug users at "The Block" in inner Sydney's suburb of Redfern June 2, 2005. Aboriginal residents in "The Block", a collection of several streets with rundown and vandalised buildings, have battled heroin and alcohol abuse for years. REUTERS/Will Burgess

Sydney criminal lawyer Ugo Parente, accused of serious drug abuse, on several counts, has been granted bail. He was arrested in June on charges of possessing and supplying a prohibited drug in significant quantity.

Sydney Morning Herald reports, Ugo Parente, 34, was charged on several counts that include, supplying greater than a commercial quantity of a prohibited drug, two counts of supplying greater than an indictable quantity of a prohibited drug, two counts of supplying a prohibited drug, possessing a prohibited drug and suspected goods in custody.

On searching his home and car, the police came across nearly 30 containers of sushi, stashed with GHB. He was also alleged to have $3000 in his possession. According to the Police, Mr. Parente had supplied 4-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) of 1 litre as well as 100 ecstasy tablets on June 26.

Magistrate Megan Greenwood took into notice, "the unusual level of family support and the opportunity to remove him from the location where the alleged offences where committed", in granting bail. Mr. Parente has been granted bail in order to allow him to live in Newcastle with his brother, on austere conditions that he must not consume alcohol or drugs and has also been put under curfew. He is also been directed to visit a medical practitioner.

Ugo Parente came under the scanner after the police stopped him while he was driving away, for a chance breath test in Eastlakes. The drugs and the money was recovered from his car which led the police to raid his home.

His first bail plea was rejected at the Downing Centre Local Court in the last Friday afternoon. Ugo Parente has been associated with Marsdens Law Group at Liverpool as criminal solicitor and barrister for the past 9 years.

Contact the writer on debleenasarkar26@gmail.com.

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