Ibrahim’s partner Ryan Watsford tells of playing lead role in drug bust movie

TO Michael Ibrahim it was a hilarious turn of events: his partner in an alleged drug-smuggling plot had just signed on to play the lead role in a movie about a massive drug bust. Little did they know their meeting was being watched.

Police surveillance image alleged to be Michael Ibrahim (front in white top), Ryan Watsford (left in dark suit) and a man believed to be undercover operative MW1 leave Point Piper's Royal Motor Yacht Club on May 5 after a meeting in which Watsford claimed to be starring in a drug bust movie.

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TO Michael Ibrahim it was a hilarious turn of events: his partner in an alleged $1 billion drug-smuggling plot had just signed on to play the lead role in a movie about a massive drug bust.

As he sat with the friend, Ryan Watsford, at Point Piper’s exclusive Royal Motor Yacht Club, Ibrahim ­allegedly joked that it was “life imitating art”.

He had no idea how right he would turn out to be.

Photos of one of three shipments police allege Michael Ibrahim and others attempted to smuggle into Australia. This one shows 500kg of MDMA and 20kg of cocaine, featuring the Audi symbol, seized on May 22, 2017.

Boxes allegedly containing the 500kg of MDMA and 20kg of cocaine seized on May 22, 2017.

It was about 1.35pm on May 5 this year and Ibrahim had met Watsford at the eastern suburbs establishment to discuss how to divide their profit cuts once two shipments containing 1.3 tonnes of high-quality drugs had landed in Australia.

They were also set to start planning for a third shipment weighing in at 629kg.

The only problem was the third man who was with them has now been revealed as an undercover ­operative working for the police, known as MW1.

Michael Ibrahim is currently in a Dubai prison cell awaiting extradition.

Ryan Watsford boasted about securing a role in a film about a major drug bust.

He was recording their conversations, which would eventually bring down the operation and its international tentacles.

After the alleged discussion about drugs, Watsford, a one-time real ­estate agent who lives with his mother at Rose Bay, told the men he had “signed a contract to play the main role in an upcoming film” about a “big drug importation bust”, court documents reveal.

After the laughter died down, MW1 asked Watsford: “So, you’re the f---ing cop?”, the documents said. Watsford allegedly replied: “No. I’m the main guy. I swear on my life”. Ibrahim quipped: “Life imitating art”.

The Ibrahims and associates were arrested as they stepped off a luxury cruiser in Dubai: Photo by Trevor Goddard

Three months later on August 8, Ibrahim was arrested alongside his brother Fadi in Dubai as part of a multinational take-down in Australia, Dubai and the Netherlands.

Police will claim Ibrahim acted as a middleman in a plot where, for a cut, he arranged for some of the Sydney and international drug trade’s heavy hitters to use MW1’s “door service” to import almost two tonnes of cocaine, MDMA and methamphetamine into Australia.

Ibrahim had been introduced to MW1 by Watsford at the Intercontinental Hotel, Double Bay, on November 14, 2016, when the operative allegedly explained how his services could ensure drug importations would not be scrutinised by law ­enforcement on Australia’s border.

An earlier shipment seized by police on May 26 that contained 800kg of MDMA hidden in 34 plain boxes.

Drug seizure on July 18 2017 containing 498kg of MDMA, 116kg of cocaine and 15kg of methamphetamine.

A third drug seizure on July 18, 2017. Police allege Michael Ibrahim and others attempted to smuggle 498kg of MDMA, 116kg of cocaine and 15kg of methamphetamine to Australia from Europe.

The youngest Ibrahim brother then drafted the alleged Mr Bigs into two syndicates to smuggle three shipments into Australia.

The Ibrahim brothers were among five people arrested in Dubai, including Punchbowl identity Mustapha Dib and Steven Elmir, who police allege fled Australia following a 2016 shootout, to establish himself as a Dubai-based drug baron.

Elmir’s lawyer Ben Archbold told the Sunday Telegraph the process of authorities trying to extradite the men to Australia was ongoing.

It can also be revealed Watsford made “full admissions” to police about his role in the plot to import the drug shipments, launder money, store the drugs and smuggle ­cigarettes to Australia.

According to a police fact sheet, Watsford made the admissions in an interview with police after he was ­arrested at 5.30am on August 8.

Watsford has not entered a plea and will appear in Sydney’s Central Local Court on November 1.

Meanwhile, it can be revealed that Watsford allegedly made “full admissions” to police about his role in the plot to import the drug shipments, launder money and smuggle cigarettes to Australia.

Lawyer Brett Galloway, who does not represent Watsford, said this could have implications for the other accused.

“All eyes will now be on whether these so called admissions can be used as evidence against him or his co accused,” Mr Galloway said.

According to a police fact sheet tendered to court, Watsford made the admissions in an interview with police after he was arrested at 5.30am on August 8.

The document alleges he admitted “being present and partaking in meetings surrounding the importation of (border controlled drugs) into Australia”, paying a deposit for one of the drug shipments before asking for it to be returned, and inquiring about properties where the drugs could be stored.

Watsford has not entered a plea and will appear in Central Local Court on November 1.