KTM gang: Alleged hierarchy of accused members revealed in court

Details of the notorious KTM gang’s alleged “pyramid style” hierarchy have been revealed, as the full list of alleged major players, their roles and what they are accused of are identified. SEE THE LIST

• Wire tap: Secret police operation

Details of the notorious KTM gang’s alleged “pyramid style” hierarchy have been heard in court, as six alleged members successfully applied for bail on Tuesday.

Their applications followed a mass police sweep of 25 southeast Queensland addresses on Friday, with 20 men arrested in the one day.

Police seized hauls of drugs including cocaine, meth and cannabis following a year-long operation as part of operation Whiskey Vogue.

Twenty men allegedly linked to the gang were arrested across the southeast in major raids. Picture: Supplied QLD Police

Sixteen men appeared in court the next day charged with trafficking dangerous drugs (serious organised crime) – and six walked free on bail on Tuesday. No pleas have been entered.

The raids also seized large amounts of cash, four Mercedes and a Range Rover, and dismantled two meth labs.

On Tuesday, Acting Magistrate Nigel Rees said the police alleged the KTM syndicate had operated as a pyramid-style hierarchy.

He labelled alleged syndicate leaders Ayaaz Bhagoo and Shirwac Abdi Yusuf as “tier one” at the “head of the snake” of the pyramid.

Brothers Aydin and Isak Celikovic were labelled “tier two” as the alleged syndicate “bankers,” Mr Rees said.

Also on tier two, Mr Rees said were alleged “middle management” Abdirahman Aden Warsame and Khaalid Shaarub.

He said the remaining accused were “tier three” – aka “foot soldiers” with lesser alleged roles in the syndicate.

See the full list of alleged major players below:

THE ALLEGED “HEAD OF THE SNAKE”

Ayaaz Bhagoo

Age: 23

Suburb: Kuraby

Charges: Trafficking dangerous drugs (serious organised crime), nine counts of supplying dangerous drugs, four counts of possessing tainted property, two counts each of possessing anything used in the commission of a crime and possessing schedule 1 drugs (quantity of/exceeding schedule 3 but less than schedule 4), and one count each of contravening an order about information used to access information stored electronically, possessing property suspected of being used in the commission of a drug offence, and possessing dangerous drugs

Shirwac Abdi Yusuf

Age: 23

Suburb: Kuraby

Charges: Trafficking dangerous drugs (serious organised crime), trafficking dangerous drugs, 12 counts of supplying dangerous drugs, two counts of possessing schedule 1 dangerous drugs (quantity of/exceeding schedule 4), four counts of possessing tainted property, and one count each of possessing anything for use in the commission of a crime and possessing anything used in the commission of a crime

Bhagoo and Yusuf’s matters were briefly mentioned on Saturday and adjourned.

They are expected to make applications for bail on Friday.

A car towed away during a raid. Photo Supplied QLD Police

A gun seized in the raids. Photo Supplied QLD Police

THE ALLEGED “BANKERS”

Aydin Imran Celikovic

Age: 24

Suburb: Upper Mount Gravatt

Charges: Trafficking dangerous drugs (serious organised crime), possessing anything used in the commission of a crime, possessing anything for use in the commission of a crime, and two counts of possessing tainted property

Aydin Celikovic made a successful application for bail on Tuesday.

The court heard he had an “unexplained wealth” in his bank account and was alleged to have used the syndicate vehicle for dead drops.

Mr Rees said Celikovic was allegedly “subject to the listening device when they were talking about customer base, servicing drugs, negotiating proper prices, outstanding debts, standover tactics, police methodologies”.

But defence lawyer Hugh Stitt said this was a “general” allegation against many of the accused.

“All of them can’t be in the car at one time, so we’re not sure who said what,” Mr Stitt said.

Celikovic and the other successful applicants were granted bail under conditions including an ankle monitor, evening curfew, and no contact with co-accused.

Isak Jameel Celikovic

Age: 27

Suburb: Brisbane City

Charges: Trafficking dangerous drugs (serious organised crime), serious assault/resist/obstruct police or person acting in aid of police, four counts of possessing dangerous drugs, three counts of possessing tainted property and contravening an order about information used to access information stored electronically, two counts of possessing utensils or pipes, and one count of possessing anything used in the commission of crime

Brother of Aydin Celikovic, Isak has not made any application for bail at this time.

Designer goods seized during the raids. Photo Supplied QLD Police

Hauls of drugs, cash and cars were seized by police. Photo Supplied QLD Police

THE ALLEGED “MIDDLE MANAGEMENT”

Khaalid Shaarub

Age: 23

Suburb: Woodridge

Charges: Trafficking dangerous drugs (serious organised crime), two counts of trafficking dangerous drugs, 14 counts of supplying dangerous drugs, three counts of possessing schedule 1 dangerous drugs (quantity of/exceeding schedule 4) and possessing tainted property, and one count each of possessing anything used in the commission of crime, contravening an order about information necessary to access information stored electronically, and affray

Mr Rees said Khaalid Shaarub was alleged to be a “tier two” member of the syndicate.

The court heard during a bail application on Tuesday for Shaarub’s brother, Jamal Abdirashid Shaarub, that it was alleged police had found a kilo of methylamphetamine in Khaalid’s Shaarub’s bedroom.

Shaarub has made no application for bail and his matter will next be heard at Brisbane Magistrates Court on July 7.

Abdirahman Aden Warsame

Age: 24

Suburb: Kuraby

Charged with trafficking dangerous drugs (serious organised crime), five counts of supply dangerous drugs, two counts of affray and possessing tainted property, and one count each of possessing anything used for the commission of crime, obstructing police, evasion, and driving without a licence

Aden Warsame was described by Mr Rees as “middle management”.

Police allege Aden Warsame was seen being handed a clipseal bag containing white crystals on March 9, while in the company of alleged syndicate leader Shirwac Yusuf.

He was also alleged to have made “some comments about threats” in a conversation with a man about a debt owed to him.

The court heard Aden Warsame had further had access to the syndicate vehicle and had been involved in conversations about “recruiting children to push drugs”.

Defence lawyer Andrew Owens said Warsame was from Kenya and had finished school at Islamic State College.

He applied for bail on Tuesday but the application was denied.

THE ALLEGED “FOOT SOLDIERS”

Said Mohamud Abdi

Age: 23

Suburb: Heathwood

Charges: Trafficking dangerous drugs (serious organised crime), possess anything for use in the commission of crime, obstruct police, and contravene order about info necessary to access info stored electronically

Abdi made a successful application for bail on Tuesday.

Mr Rees said it was alleged he was “lower in the pecking order” but that he was privy to the ongoings of the hierarchy.

Abdi had allegedly been involved in conversations with other alleged members of the syndicate, the court heard.

Defence lawyer Corey Cullen said Abdi had attended Corinda High School and played in his local basketball team before attending QUT to study business.

Abdullahi Ahmed Adan

Age: 23

Suburb: Underwood

Charged with trafficking dangerous drugs (serious organised crime), supplying dangerous drugs, possessing schedule 1 dangerous drugs (quantity of/exceeding schedule 3 but less than schedule 4), possessing anything used for the commission of a crime, possessing tainted property, and contravening an order about information used to access information stored electronically

Adan has not made any application for bail at this time.

Sakariye Adam Ahmed

Age: 23

Suburb: Doolandella

Charges: Trafficking dangerous drugs (serious organised crime), possessing anything used for the commission of crime, contravening an order about information used to access information stored electronically

Ahmed has not made any application for bail at this time.

Mohamed Dawd Mohamed

Age: 22

Suburb: Calamvale

Charges: Trafficking dangerous drugs (serious organised crime), possessing anything used in the commission of a crime, and eleven counts of supplying dangerous drugs

Dawd Mohamed has not made any application for bail at this time.

Ramazani Kiza

Age: 20

Suburb: Algester

Charges: Trafficking dangerous drugs (serious organised crime), 9x supply dangerous drugs, receiving or possessing property obtained from drug trafficking or supply, and aggravated supply of drugs to a minor

Kiza was granted police bail and was listed for mention in Brisbane Magistrates Court for mention on Wednesday.

He failed to appear when his name was called just after 9.30am and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Kiza’s brother, Muhamad Mossi, was granted bail on Tuesday under conditions he not contact Kiza or his other co-accused.

Mohammed Mosin Khan

Age: 24

Suburb: Underwood

Charges: Trafficking dangerous drugs (serious organised crime), possessing schedule 1 dangerous drugs (quantity of/exceeding schedule 4), possessing anything used in commission of crime, possessing tainted property, possessing property suspected of having being used in the commission of a drug offence, contravening an order about information used to access information stored electronically, and two counts of possessing schedule 1 dangerous drugs (quantity of/exceeding schedule 3 but less than schedule 4)

Khan started applying for bail on Tuesday, but the matter was adjourned partway through to Friday.

Police allege Khan was a drug runner and that he was found in possession of 700g of cocaine.

However, defence lawyer Hugh Stitt said there may be some dispute about whether the substance found was actually cocaine.

Exauce Osumaka Makiadi

Age: 20

Suburb: Logan Central

Charges: Trafficking dangerous drugs (serious organised crime), possess anything used in the commission of a crime, and nine counts of supplying dangerous drugs

Makiadi made a successful application for bail on Tuesday.

Police allege he was a drug runner and supplier.

Muhamad Mossi

Age: 19

Suburb: Algester

Charges: Trafficking dangerous drugs (serious organised crime), and possessing anything used in the commission of a crime

Mossi made a successful application for bail on Tuesday.

Police allege he was a drug runner and supplier.

The court heard he had been on bail at the time of his arrest charged with supplying dangerous drugs.

Defence lawyer Regan Harms said Mossi had attended the police station himself, knowing he may be arrested.

He said Mossi refused a no contact condition with his brother, but Mr Rees replied “he’s not getting bail then”.

Mr Rees ultimately granted him bail with the no contact condition – warning that if he breached it, he’d be taken back into custody.

Hamzah Motala

Age: 24

Suburb: Underwood

Charges: Trafficking dangerous drugs (serious organised crime), seven counts of supplying dangerous drugs, five counts of possessing dangerous drugs, three counts of possessing schedule 1 dangerous drugs (quantity of/exceeding schedule 3 but less than schedule 4), and one count each of possessing anything for use in the commission of a crime, possessing tainted property, and possessing property suspected of having been used in connection with the commission of a drug offence

Motala was allegedly a drug runner for the gang, and made a successful bail application on Tuesday.

Police allege he was found in possessing of 28g of cocaine at 20g of meth.

Defence lawyer Regan Harms claimed the charges were “weak” and that the drugs were personal use amounts.

The court heard Motala was addicted to cocaine and had a psychiatrist appointment scheduled for the day after he was arrested.

Jamal Abdirashid Shaarub

Age: 22

Suburb: Woodridge

Charges: Trafficking dangerous drugs (serious organised crime), three counts of supplying dangerous drugs, two counts of possessing tainted property, and one count each of possessing anything for use in the commission of a crime, and contravening an order about information used to access information stored electronically

It’s alleged Jamal Shaarub was found in possession of $60,000 cash at a safe house, along with 12g of cocaine, and scales.

The court heart Shaarub was also allegedly found with $15,000 at his home.

Mr Rees said it was alleged Shaarub was at the “bottom of the pyramid” but allegedly had use of the syndicate vehicle.

It’s alleged Shaarub was involved in a conversation about him owing debt.

He was granted bail on Tuesday.

Yusuf Yusuf

Age: 20

Suburb: Kuraby

Charged with trafficking dangerous drugs (serious organised crime), trafficking dangerous drugs, nine counts of supplying dangerous drugs, two counts each of possessing tainted property and receiving tainted property, and one count each of contravening an order about information stored electronically, possessing anything used in the commission of a crime, and receiving or possessing property obtained from trafficking or supplying

Mr Rees said Yusuf was alleged to be at the “bottom of the triangle,” but that there was a strong case against him.

“The case against him is he has large amounts of cash on his person, scales and empty clipseal bags,” Mr Rees said.

He expressed concern with the risks posed by Yusuf’s alleged access to guns.

“There’s a conversation about drugs and about using violence to enforce debt and access to guns – namely ‘shooters’.”

Yusuf made an application for bail on Tuesday, but the application was denied.

The men are all listed for mention at Brisbane Magistrates Court on July 7.

Originally published as KTM gang: Alleged hierarchy of accused members revealed in court