Jail call: John Ibrahim says cops were ‘burning’ that he committed no crimes

An explosive jail call has revealed John Ibrahim’s reaction to the arrest of family friend Ryan Watsford after Watsford was busted in a major police sting. Listen to the call.

John Ibrahim and Ryan Watsford during a Thai holiday. Source: Facebook

Despite committing no criminal act, Kings Cross identity John Ibrahim knew the police were “burning” when they found no grounds to charge him over one of the most daring undercover stings in Australian history.

During an SOS phone call in 2017 from Ibrahim family friend Ryan Watsford – who was sitting in Parklea Jail after being arrested over the international operation that saw two tonnes of drugs and millions of cigarettes shipped to Australia – the former nightclub boss turned author and TV show producer said police were fuming they had no reason to charge him.

“They’re so upset they didn’t get me in the mix,” Ibrahim said in the call that was recorded by prison authorities and was later handed to police who ran the undercover investigation. “They’re burning.”

“100 per cent!” Watsford replied.

The Sunday Telegraph had been in possession of a recording of the call since 2019 but several legal proceedings prevented its publication.

Listen to the conversation between Ryan Watsford, who is calling from prison, and John Ibrahim in the player below. There is no suggestion John Ibrahim was involved in any criminal wrongdoing.

Some parts still cannot be disclosed because the material is subject to suppression orders and other legal restrictions. The recording reveals John Ibrahim was informed that, as with all calls from NSW prisons, this one was to be monitored and recorded. We have chosen to reveal it now as a dramatised story of John Ibrahim’s life and family is set to premiere as a TV series from next week.

The call was made after the ­August 2017 arrest of Watsford and more than 20 others, including John’s younger brothers Michael and Fadi.

It came after an undercover police officer posing as friend told Watsford he could smuggle millions of dollars worth of cigarettes into Australia.

During a phone call to Ryan Watsford John Ibrahim says cops were ‘burning’ that he committed no crimes. Picture John Grainger

Watsford introduced the cop to Michael Ibrahim, who enlisted a cast of Sydney linked underworld figures, which included Dubai and European-based drug bosses. They used the undercover as part of their plan to smuggle almost two tonnes MDMA, ice and cocaine, plus millions of illegal cigarettes.

Michael pleaded guilty and was jailed for a maximum 25 years. Watsford was sentenced to a maximum eight years in jail over a smaller portion of the drug imports. Fadi has pleaded guilty to possessing money suspected of being the proceeds of crime. He is not charged with anything relating to the drugs or cigarettes.

John’s eastern suburbs mansion was raided by the Australian Federal Police. He was not charged and there is no suggestion he did anything illegal.

John was present at a number of family gatherings, including an unforgettable Thailand holiday – where the undercover was present and told Watsford on the call he had been suspicious of the man who had been brought into the fold of the Ibrahim clan.

“You guys are f--king idiots. I’m so glad … remember me walking in the (restaurant) and then walking out,” Ibrahim said in the call.

Ryan Watsford and John Ibrahim. Source: Facebook

It was a reference to a 2017 meeting at waterfront restaurant Catalina where Watsford met the undercover to discuss imports of drugs and cigarettes.

John was not involved in the discussions. He arrived late to the lunch and left almost immediately after remarking that Watsford and the undercover appeared to be “up to no good”.

The jail call from Watsford began with him appearing to be asking John for help with raising money. It is not clear if Watsford needs the money for bail or something else.

“I’m not going to lie to you, the whole thing’s a f--king disaster,” Watsford told Ibrahim in the call.

John replied: “You have no idea. F--king hell.”

“I mean, is it hard for you now to borrow money? It would be impossible, John,” Watsford asked.

John replied: “We’re lucky the banks are still talking to us. They called Fadi’s branch. Everyone’s had their accounts disconnected.”

Watsford is then heard seeking the opinion of Ibrahim as to the legality of the undercover operation and whether it was within the rules of play for police or illegal entrapment or just an unfair “shit go” for the cop to pretend to be his friend.

“Can this seriously go all the way John, do you reckon? I’m being serious, mate. I mean I’ve listened to (the recordings made by the undercover) every single ­f--king night,” Watsford said. “I mean, can it be legal?”

Sam Ibrahim

Fadi Ibrahim

John said: “He entrapped youse, yeah. But you guys are f--king ­idiots.”

“Yeah, but come on. The way he did it. I mean …” Watsford said.

In relation to the media coverage of the arrests, John said: “They’re calling it a sting. It was more like a set up but.”

“What do you think?” Watsford asked.

John replied: “I’ve had arguments with them already, brother. I said, you guys, they’ve never dealt a cigarette in their life.”

“Exactly,” Watsford said. “What do we know about importations of this (drugs and cigarettes)? This is just absurd. It’s ridiculous.”

John said it appeared Watsford and the others fell into the trap.

“He opened the door for youse. And youse idiots walked in and dragged everyone else with youse,” John said. “He sucked youse in hard … It’s lucky I couldn’t f--king stand him from day one,” he added, in reference to his encounters with the undercover. “I could pick up on something.”

It is not suggested that John Ibrahim committed any crime, intended to do so, or had any knowledge of the crimes committed by Watsford and others.

John Ibrahim told Ryan Watsford we are doing better than most of the people arrested. Source: Facebook

“Remember I said to you ‘Where did this guy come from and how did you meet him?’ Go back and think about it’. Do you remember me saying that to you?” John told Watsford during the call.

Yeah, mate, I remember one thing,” Watsford said. “We were only going to stick to a certain thing, John …”

“Yes,” John replied. “Youse all promised youse wouldn’t be f--king dickheads.”

Jail calls are limited to six minutes and John wrapped it up by reminding Watsford of his situation.

“There’s not much you’re going to be able to do. It is what it is,” John said. “They’ve sewn you all up and they’re spewing they didn’t get me in the mix.”

He also remarked that the only reason the police raided his home was to spark media interest.

“F--k, just hang in there,” John said. “You’re doing better than most (of the people arrested). The rest of them are suicidal.”

“I’m all right, man,” Watsford said. “Because I’ve got a feeling in my stomach we’re gonna win this. We’re gonna beat this, John. This is not fair.”

“It’s a good attitude,” John said.

Watsford then returned his mind to the undercover.

“I’m telling you, mate. It’s a shit go. You don’t do this to people. That filthy (censored). I’m telling you. F--k me dead,” he said.

John signed off the call by saying: “He f--ked you and then f--ked the rest of youse” (laughs).

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