Notorious underworld figure who worked as a standover man, drug dealer and weighed 200kg is found dead in a unit - after surviving being stabbed 42 times in jail

A violent underworld figure who once survived being stabbed 42 times in jail has been found dead. 

Helal Safi was found dead at an apartment on Stapleton Street, Pendle Hill in Sydney on Saturday after a neighbour heard shouting for help around 4am.

The 45-year-old who weighed an impressive 200kg, was found unconscious and unresponsive when paramedics arrived.

Safi couldn't be be revived and a crime scene was established as officers seized several items including drug paraphernalia, Daily Telegraph reported.  

He was known as a 'major player' who associated with bikies and criminals and was feared across Sydney's underworld. 

Helal Safi, 45, (pictured, right, during his October arrest was found dead at an apartment on Stapleton Street, Pendle Hill in Sydney on Saturday after a neighbour heard shouting for help

The former bikie and Kings Cross bikie once survived being stabbed 42 times while in jail in 2010, which saw him end up in a coma for five months.

Safi was stabbed 42 times while in jail in 2010 and spent five months in a coma

Police said the only reason Safi survived was due to his size, otherwise he would have died. 

In October last year, Safi was arrested at a South Wentworthville street following a Firearm Prohibition Orders bust.

Officers seized weapons, bikie paraphernalia, prohibited drugs and cash at the home and arrested a total of eight people. 

Safi was charged with eight firearm offences including possessing or using a prohibited weapon without a permit. 

Lawyer Elias Tabchouri told Magistrate Bree Chisholm that Safi was suffering severe medical problems after the stabbing a decade ago. 

He explained that Safi suffered an enlarged heart, low kidney function and swollen legs and had to take seven different types of medication each day to manage the pain.  

Safi was released from prison just a few weeks ago. 

Safi was stabbed 42 times in 2010 while in jail and was in a coma for five months