Michael Ibrahim guilty over international drug and tobacco syndicate role

Michael Ibrahim, the brother of Kings Cross identity John, has pleaded guilty to his role in an international drug and tobacco syndicate which was smashed during one of the biggest organised crime raids in Australia’s history.

Michael Ibrahim, the brother of Kings Cross identity John, has pleaded guilty to his role in an international drug and tobacco syndicate which was smashed during one of the biggest organised crime raids in Australia’s history.

Ibrahim and more than 20 men were arrested in a series of dramatic raids carried out by NSW Police and Australian Federal Police across Sydney and Dubai in August last year.

Today Ibrahim appeared on the video screen wearing an orange jumpsuit at Sydney’s Central Local Court and entered guilty pleas after being accused of being the kingpin of a major syndicate operating across the globe.

Michael Ibrahim, the brother of Kings Cross identity John, has pleaded guilty to heading up an international drug and tobacco syndicate.

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It is the Crown case Sydney real estate agent Ryan Watsford introduced an undercover police officer to Mr Ibrahim at Sydney’s Sheraton on the Park.back in November, 2016.

Mr Ibrahim then went on to co-ordinate a number of conspiracies to import 900,000 packets of cigarettes and 1.9 tonnes of MDMA, 136kg of cocaine and 15kg of ice into Australia.

Michael Ibrahim co-ordinated a number of conspiracies to import 900,000 packets of cigarettes and 1.9 tonnes of MDMA, 136kg of cocaine and 15kg of ice into Australia.

Ibrahim was originally charged with 17 offences but lawyer Abbas Soukie entered pleas on his behalf to five charges including two counts of conspiring to import a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, two counts of dealing with instruments of crime and one charge of proceeds of crime.

One of his co-accused, Mostafa Dib, also pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to import a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug.

Two other players in the alleged syndicate, Ahmad “Rock” Ahmad and Hassan Fakherddine, appeared before the same court and waived their right to a committal hearing on the charge of conspiring to import a border controlled drug.

Ahmad Rock Ahmad was also allegedly involved. Picture: John Grainger

Fadi Ibrahim. Picture: Toby Zerna

Their matter will now be heard in the NSW Supreme Court in February next year.

Ibrahim’s brother Fadi, who survived being shot in 2009, is accused of allegedly financing one of the tobacco imports and is charged with dealing with an instrument of crime.

He is preparing to fight the charges and is on conditional bail.

Fadi and Michael were arrested at a luxury high-rise in Dubai on August 8, 2017, alongside Steven Elmir and Mustapha “Fairy” Dib.

Their brother John Ibrahim’s Dover Heights mansion was raided on the same day. John Ibrahim has not been charged and there is no suggestion he was ­involved in any criminal offence.

Michael Ibrahim’s matter will be mentioned in the NSW District Court in January next year.