Five men charged over $1 billion of cocaine, attempted kidnapping

Police have charged five men after an alleged kidnapping attempt led them to discover hundreds of kilos of cocaine worth $1 billion in a northern Sydney unit block.

More than $1b worth of cocaine was seized by NSW Police.

Four men allegedly trapped in the garage of a unit complex in northern Sydney – after breaking in – were found by police crammed into a Toyota Yaris.

The alleged kidnapping attempt led police to discover a whopping 722kg of cocaine worth $1 billion in a unit.

Moumin Hamouda, 23, and Eldin Huric, 20, were denied bail at Burwood Local Court on Tuesday.

Their co-accused Bilal Gheneim, 19, did not apply, however, Liam Roger Goodhew, 24, was granted bail by Magistrate Joy Boulos.

The alleged intended victim, Hussein Habeeb, 24, did not apply for bail.

More than $1b worth of cocaine was seized. Photo: NSW Police

According to a NSW Police statement, Robbery and Serious Crime Squad detectives and Ryde police officers attended a unit block on Blaxland Rd, Ryde following reports of a break and enter.

Police arrived and found four men in the block’s underground carpark sitting in a Toyota Yaris wearing all-black clothing and face coverings.

Detectives seized items consistent with a kidnapping attempt including a 60cm crowbar, gloves, a meat cleaver, bladed knife, box cutter, flashing light bars and zip ties.

Liam Goodhew was granted bail on Tuesday.

Eldin Huric was denied bail.

Moumin Hamouda was also denied bail.

The men – aged 24, 23, 20 and 19 – were arrested and taken to Gladesville and Burwood police stations.

Court documents reveal each man was charged with aggravated break and enter in company with the intention of stealing, armed with the intent to commit an indictable offence, possess housebreaking implements, having their face blackened or disguised to commit an indictable offence, and participating in a criminal group.

A bladed knife seized by NSW Police. Photo: NSW Police

All five men were refused bail to appear at Burwood Local Court today.

Detectives identified the intended target of the alleged kidnapping attempt and at about 10.45pm executed a search warrant at the associated unit, where they located 722kg of cocaine with an estimated street value of over $1 billion.

The unit’s 24-year-old male occupant was arrested and taken to Gladesville police station where he was charged with large commercial drug supply and knowingly dealing with crime proceeds.

Police will allege Hamouda, Huric, Gheneim and Goodhew broke into the unit complex with the intent to rob and kidnap Habeeb.

In reading the alleged facts on Tuesday, Ms Boulos said an independent witness saw a Toyota Yaris attempt to break into a North Ryde garage.

Once they gained entry, they were allegedly “locked in” and Ms Boulos said the men had no reason to be there.

She told the court there was a degree of planning involved, some men were found wearing face masks, and black clothing.

In making Huric’s bail application, lawyer Trajko Skopelja said none of the accused attempted to flee the scene, no one knows who owns the car and there was no mention of his client covering his face.

More items seized by police.

Hamouda’s lawyer Elie Srour said it wasn’t a strong prosecution case and the Yaris doesn’t belong to his client.

While acknowledging Hamouda’s criminal record, he proposed for his client to be on strict house arrest, however like Huric, his bail was denied.

But, Mr Srour argued Goodhew’s alleged facts were different to his co-accused’s given the “officer in charge” proposed bail conditions were Ms Boulos to release him on conditional liberty.

The court heard he works for Sydney Water and had no prior criminal history.

Ms Boulos said there was no suggestion Goodhew was wearing any mask, and he was in the back of the Yaris.

He was granted bail on a $5000 surety and must adhere to a 9pm to 6am curfew.

Hamouda, Huric, Gheneim and Goodhew will return to court on January 24 with Habeeb to appear on February 14.