Omar Mashrap: $600k ice importation alleged issues plea
Police arrested a high-flying finance worker over allegations he tried to import more than $600k of ice and MDMA in garden lamp packages. The accused has now issued his plea to the charges in court.
Central Sydney
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A former Sydney Stock Exchange employee is set to stand trial over allegations he tried to import more than $600,000 worth of ‘ice’ and MDMA into Australia in garden lamp packages.
Police allege Omar Mashrap attempted to obtain 5.5kg of MDMA and 500g of methylamphetamine in August 2019, with Australian Border Force officers intercepting the consignment sent from Germany.
The 33-year-old pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to two counts of attempting to possess a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug at Central Local Court.
Two previous charges laid following his arrest on August 14, of possessing a commercial quantity and marketable quantity of a border controlled drug respectively, have since been withdrawn.
ABF officers allegedly identified the package at Sydney Airport on August 7, with presumptive tests returning positive for MDMA and ‘ice’.
It was estimated that the drugs had a potential street value of $600,000, police said in a statement.
That led to heavily-armed Strike Force Dobem detectives raiding Mashrap’s Sussex St apartment about 6pm on August 14, with the market control officer arrested outside the building.
Inside the unit police allegedly seized air cargo packaging, mobile phones, and various documentation.
On Wednesday Mashrap formally pleaded not guilty before Magistrate Robert Williams, who committed him for trial in the District Court.
He will next appear on April 3.