Israh Chahine, Alexandra Karanfilovska charged with importing drugs
Two close friends wound up handcuffed and weeping as they faced court accused of helping import almost $3 million worth of methylamphetamine concealed in food ration packages from the United States.
St George Shire Standard
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Two young women accused of helping import almost $3 million worth of methylamphetamine concealed in food ration packages from the United States were allegedly caught out by police discussing the delivery over the phone.
Close friends Israh Chahine and Alexandra Karanfilovska, both 23, were charged with importing a commercial quantity of border-controlled drugs and participating in a criminal group after raids at their Arncliffe homes on Wednesday.
Australian Border Force allegedly intercepted a consignment on May 6 which appeared to contain food ration packs from the United States, before a closer inspection allegedly revealed 5.7kg of methylamphetamine with an estimated street value of $2.7 million.
Commonwealth prosecutor Chelsea Brain told Magistrate Alexander Mijovich at Central Local Court police will allege the package of drugs was addressed to Chahine’s name and sent to Karanfilovska’s address.
“It suggests a high degree of planning beyond being the consignee and taking possession, then passing it on,” Ms Brain said.
“The role of (Chahine) goes beyond being a courier.”
St George police allegedly intercepted the pair discussing payment over the phone once the delivery was allegedly made to the pair’s co-accused Adam Ayshan and Mohamad Hawchar, who were both arrested at a Roselands apartment the same day.
“After Chahine has taken the package to Ayshan, she contacts Karanfilovska and says ‘are you happy with $1000?’,” Ms Brain told the court.
“Karanfilovska asks how much Chahine received, she says $2000, and that she doesn’t want to do it again for $1000.”
Chahine was granted bail after her family offered up their lifelong family home worth $850,000 as security, while three people contributed $19,000 as security for Karanfilovska’s release.
The pair will now effectively remain under house arrest and will only be permitted to leave the house in the company of an approved chaperone.
Chahine will inevitably lose her full-time employment as a result of the conditions.
Mr Mijovich warned the pair of the dire potential consequences if they did not comply with their strict bail conditions.
“You cannot leave the house except for legal or medical appointments, you can’t duck down to the corner store for a pack of smokes,” he told Chahine.
“I appreciate you’re doing uni but you can’t go to lectures, you can’t be present unless your mother or your friend is with you,” he told Karanfilovska.
The pair’s solicitor Ahmad Dib submitted the two were accused of being couriers at most and were not aware the package contained drugs, but Mr Mijovich accepted Ms Brain’s submission police had a strong case against the young women.
Both women, who appeared in court from Sydney Police Centre, were in handcuffs and wept continually throughout the proceedings.
The matter will return to Downing Centre Local Court on July 14.
Ayshan and Hawchar were also charged with importing a commercial quantity of border-controlled drugs and participating in a criminal group.
Hawchar applied for bail before Magistrate Rodney Brender at Parramatta Local Court and it was refused, while Ayshan did not apply for bail.
The pair will next face Central Local Court on July 9.