Alleged crime syndicate head Koder Jomaa’s life as restaurant owner in wealthy Dubai

KODAR Jomaa, the alleged mastermind behind a global crime syndicate, has been living a quiet life in luxurious surrounds for three years in Dubai - or so he thought.

KODAR Jomaa, the alleged mastermind behind a global crime syndicate, has been living a quiet life in luxurious surrounds in Dubai.

The shorn-headed fitness fanatic quit Sydney for Dubai three years ago after the collapse of his marriage and swiftly set up a healthy eaterie and delivery service Fit Food Kitchen in the exclusive Jumeirah Lake Towers.

Fit Food Kitchen in Dubai owned by Kodar Jomaa who faces extradition for drug-related offences.

The 47-year-old heavily tattooed gym fan spent every afternoon at the nearby Fidelity Fitness Club.

His new world came crashing down around him when he was arrested this week in a major swoop by the New South Wales Joint Organised Crime Group. They were aided by Dubai police and the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Koder Jomaa, who has been arrested in Dubai, in a Facebook picture.

Staff at Jomaa’s restaurant say they had not seen him for several days prior to his arrest and were shocked by his arrest for alleged drug smuggling.

Behind the scenes, police had been targeting the alleged syndicate for months, setting up Operation Astatine in early 2016.

It is alleged the syndicate bribed Australian Border Force officials to help smuggle tobacco and ecstasy into the country.

It will be alleged in court that the syndicate members played varied and active roles in a conspiracy to import 200 kilograms of MDMA via sea cargo. Police will also claim the syndicate was responsible for smuggling 50 million cigarettes into Australia and actively engaged in money laundering activities here and abroad.

Jomaa, who police allege was the head of this syndicate, was arrested in Dubai by the Dubai police anti-narcotics department, assisted by AFP and NSWPF detectives. He faces extradition in relation to drug importation offences, say police.

Koder Jomaa’s brothers Ali and Abbas were among eight others arrested this week in Sydney in connection with the syndicate allegedly behind the smuggling.

Dubai Marina, with the Princess tower and the Cayan (Infinity) tower. UAE.

This morning, former Customs official Johayna Merhi, 41, from Hurtsville, was charged with conspiracy to bribe, smuggling, assisting a criminal group and dealing in proceeds of crime. It will be alleged Ms Merhi has a connection to Koder Jomaa. She did not apply for bail.

ABF team leader Craig Eakin, 42, from Brighton-Le-Sands has been charged with smuggling, bribery, abuse of public office, assisting a criminal group, unauthorised access and dealing in the proceeds of crime.

Ali Jomaa appeared before Central Local Court earlier this week charged with six offences, including bribing an ABF official and directing the activities of a criminal organisation.

He was not represented in court today but he was refused bail and his matter was adjourned to October.

A food warehouse linked to the Jomaas was also raided by police this week.

Born in Beruit, Lebanon, Jomaa emigrated as a young boy with his family to the Sydney suburb of Kogarah. In his early twenties he showed an strong enterprising streak, opening new food businesses around his home and around the CBD.

The luxurious Dubai marina where several drug-related arrests were made.

When his relationship collapsed shorn-headed Jomaa moved to the UAE, telling friends he needed “a fresh start” leaving behind his 18-year-old daughter Khadija and a teenage son.

Staff at his restaurant say they were shocked to learn he was suspected of any involvement with drugs.

“He is so friendly and adores children and gives money to charity,” one staff member said.

“His daughter visited last year and she was the first family member to come to Dubai since he has lived here.

“He pops into the restaurant once or twice a week to check on things but otherwise we sometimes don’t see him for months.

“He never tells us where he has been.

We don’t ask questions as he’s very private.

“We didn’t know he had a daughter until she came to Dubai.”

This morning, AFP Coordinator Organised Crime and Cyber, Detective Superintendent Stephen Dametto, said the global reach of organised crime in Australia has become so complex that a high degree of sophistication and collaboration was required to combat these groups.

“This operation is a warning to organised crime targeting Australia that hiding on the other side of the world won’t save you. Once you are in our sights, we will focus our efforts on causing you and your predatory criminal activities as much damage as possible.

“To complement the great work done by the NSW JOCG, the AFP’s international network has enabled investigators to work closely with our partners in the United Arab Emirates (and other countries) to destroy this syndicate — without their help, we would not have been able to achieve the results we have to arrest the top players in this syndicate,” Det Supt Dametto said.