Wade Habkouk: Mount Colah builder pleads not guilty to alleged heroin haul, heads to trial

A Sydney builder on a $1m bail who allegedly attempted to access a mammoth haul of heroin from Malaysia has appeared in court. His brother – the alleged mastermind – has now been arrested.

AFP arrested Wade Habkouk (centre) in September 2021. Picture: AFP

One of two brothers who allegedly attempted to access a mammoth haul of heroin imported from Malaysia will fight the allegations at a trial next year.

Mount Colah builder Wade Habkouk, 30, made headlines in 2021 when he was arrested for allegedly attempting to access some of an alleged 350kg haul of heroin found hidden inside a consignment of vertical construction mixers that arrived via air cargo from Kuala Lumpur.

In a major development, Wade’s brother Guy has now been extradited from Turkey for his alleged involvement in the same heroin plot.

AFP arrested Guy Habkouk at Sydney Airport on May 27, alleging he was the mastermind behind the importation.

Federal police had previously thought Guy was in Thailand but notified Turkish authorities in January when it came to light he was there.

Guy has been charged with importing a commercial quantity of border-controlled drugs, which carries a maximum penalty of life behind bars.

Wade Habkouk at Downing Centre Local Court on April 21.

The alleged haul was then the biggest heroin bust for two decades at the time, with AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Morgen Blunden saying they had seized 350kg worth of heroin.

Wade made bail in 2022, but only after a whopping $1 million had been coughed up as financial security.

At Downing Centre District Court in late April, Wade pleaded not guilty to attempting to possess a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug.

He will fight the allegations at an estimated three-week-long trial early next year at the same court.

Police allege Wade went to a site containing the alleged concealed haul to determine if it had been intercepted by authorities.

AFP vision of the alleged heroin haul, concealed in machinery. Picture: AFP

Guy Habkouk taken into custody by police on May 27. Picture: AFP

Flanked by his solicitor and decked in jeans and a sweater, Wade pleaded not guilty to the offence before Acting Judge Graeme Henson.

When Wade was arrested, the Sunday Telegraph reported he is the director of Shoreview Building Group, which is registered to the Mt Colah home he owns and at which he was arrested.

He remains subject to daily reporting to Hornsby police station, a 9pm to 5am curfew, and the $1 million financial security.

Habkouk will next appear at court in November for a readiness hearing before his January 2024 trial.

Wade’s brother Guy didn’t apply for bail and it was refused at Parramatta Bail Court on Sunday.

He will next appear at court in July.