One Stop Tyre and Auto manager Al Mussa arrested on major drugs charges

A Canberra auto shop manager has been arrested after allegedly being linked to a mammoth meth haul entering the ACT, with police alleging he has ties to “offshore criminal networks”.

One Stop Tyre and Auto in Fyshwick was raided by detectives on June 13 . Picture: Google Maps

A Fyshwick auto shop manager has been refused bail after being allegedly tied to overseas criminal networks following the alleged seizure of $750,000 of meth.

Al Mussa, of Chifley, faced ACT Magistrates Court on Friday charged with two counts of trafficking a commercial quantity of a controlled drug and one of participating in a criminal group following his arrest by the ACT Policing Drugs and Organised Crime Team on Tuesday.

The 38-year-old’s arrest follows the interception of Andrew James O’Keefe of Phillip along the Barton Hwy in Hall on June 6 who has since been charged with two counts of trafficking in a commercial quantity of a controlled drug and one of participating in a criminal group.

Police facts tendered to the court on Friday allege O’Keefe was found with 4kg of meth, 500g of boric acid, cryovac bags and “sophisticated” hydraulic concealment equipment in his vehicle

It’s alleged by police that phone messages between O’Keefe, Mussa and other people, who are suspected to be part of an “offshore serious organised crime syndicate”, discussed the alleged Hall drug run.

Drugs allegedly found in O’Keefe’s vehicle on June 6. Picture: ACT Policing

Acting on information from this arrest detectives raided One Stop Tyre and Auto in Fyshwick, a family owned business managed by Mussa, on Tuesday.

Police allege forensic swabs tested positive for cocaine and boric acid at the business while CCTV footage allegedly showed O’Keefe and Mussa cutting up and packaging cocaine on June 5.

The drugs allegedly found were estimated to be worth $750,000 on the street. Picture: ACT Policing

The same packaging was allegedly seized from the cocaine wraps in O’Keefe’s van.

In the vehicle trailer at the business, a similar hydraulic “hide” to O’Keefe’s car was also allegedly found.

An ACT Policing detective was cross examined during Mussa’s bail application on Friday where she alleged the auto shop manager was linked to “offshore criminal networks” .

The detective alleged the street value of the drugs allegedly found in O’Keefe’s vehicle would be worth $750,000 on the street.

Defence barrister Kieran Ginges said parts of the police intelligence were “incorrect” including where he was born, his occupation and his alleged links to crime figures who were family friends.

Mussa’s barrister also questioned the police process regarding two phones which were found at the 38-year-old’s phone which had not been analysed.

Mr Ginges told the court Mussa could abide by strict bail conditions and offered a $10,000 surety, stating he did not go into hiding the week O’Keefe was arrested.

Magistrate Robert Cook said based on the police facts there was a strong alleged connection with O’Keefe and denied Mussa bail.

His matter was adjourned to August 16.