Ryan Watsford to plead guilty to importation syndicate role

A FORMER eastern suburbs real estate agent will plead guilty to his role in a major importation syndicate allegedly involving brothers Michael­ and Fadi Ibrahim.

Rose Bay police operation in which Watsford was arrested.

A FORMER eastern suburbs real estate agent will plead guilty to his role in a major importation syndicate allegedly involving brothers Michael­ and Fadi Ibrahim.

Ryan Watsford was ­arrested at his Rose Bay home in August 2017, during Australian Federal Police raids in Australia, Dubai and The Netherlands, and now faces life behind bars.

Ryan Watson (right) with John Ibrahim, whose brothers Michael and Fadi have been charged over the case. Picture: Facebook

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Michael and Fadi Ibrahim, brothers of Kings Cross identity John Ibrahim, were arrested in Dubai and extradited back to Sydney where their cases are ongoing. They deny any wrongdoing.

Watsford is a friend of the Ibrahims including John, and appears in Facebook photos socialising with him. John Ibrahim was not arrested or charged over this case.

Appearing via video link in Central Local Court yesterday from Parklea Correctional Facility, Watsford told Magistrate Megan Greenwood “just one sec your honour­” while he reached into his jacket pocket, ­retrieving his paper work on the 12 charges against him.

Ryan Watsford, who has worked as a Double Bay real estate agent.

“Yes, yes I’m guilty,” Watsford said to the charge of attempted commercial drug importation, which carries­ a maximum penalty of life in prison.

Asked about another charge relating to the use of more than $1 million as an instrument­ of crime, Watsford said: “That one there, yes, yes I can see that, yes guilty your honour.” He will also plead guilty to drug possession­, dealing with proceeds of crime and possessing suspected proceeds of crime.  

The audacious syndicate allegedly imported millions of kilograms of illicit tobacco and tried to import 800kg of ecstasy. Watsford — called “Barbiedoll” on the syndicate’s internal chat thread — allegedly introduced a police informant known as MW1 to Michael Ibrahim at the Intercontinental Hotel, Double Bay in November 2016.

The informant allegedly told them he could ensure drug importations would not be scrutinised by law ­enforcement, but his work allegedly­ brought down the alleged plot, resulting in the arrests of 17 people.

Waters’ case was adjourned to the District Court for sentencing on September 14.