Ahmed Jarkas: Fresh details revealed in $70 million ice bust
Ahmed Jarkas says he was an “innocent dupe” in an alleged plot to import 130kg of methylamphetamine hidden inside machinery and sent via air cargo from Mexico.
The Express
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- Rose Bay dad allegedly used Bremick role for ice deal
- Ahmed Jarkas from Yagoona allegedly in ice importation bust
A southwest Sydney man who claims he was an “innocent dupe” in an alleged plot to bring $70 million worth of the drug ice into Sydney has failed in his latest bid to be released from prison on bail.
Ahmed Jarkas, 27, from Yagoona, was arrested early this year after 130kg of methylamphetamine was uncovered inside a large piece of machinery by Australian Border Force officers , sent in air cargo from Mexico.
The drugs were seized and police carried out a controlled delivery of the one-tonne electromagnetic separator in January.
Three people were arrested and charged following a police investigation including Jarkas and two others, Rose Bay father Ahmed Sadi and his brother-in-law Muhanned Muhammed (also known as Mo Sadi).
A court heard this week police are still looking for a fourth man.
New details were revealed in Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday about the alleged drug plot, during a bail application for Jarkas who has been charged with supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity).
The court heard the consignment was delivered to a business in Alexandria, called Bremick, on January 13 and allegedly received by Ahmed Sadi who worked at the business.
The court heard Jarkas hired a truck from Bankstown Airport and drove to pick up the consignment on January 22, allegedly following directions from another man.
After having trouble locating the consignment Jarkas finally picked up the machine with his rental truck, the court heard.
His lawyer argued that delay proved Jarkas did not know what the consignment looked like and he was simply following orders from the “principals in the importation”, which he alleged included Ahmed Sadi and Mo Sadi.
“They are effectively organising for the consignment – which they were responsible for importing – to be loaded onto the truck,” his defence lawyer argued.
“(Jarkas) does not know what he is looking for, what the consignment looks like, and no idea what he is doing.”
Jarkas drove the consignment to a factory unit on Harley Cres in Condell Park.
Police allege he used power tools to try and open the machinery and also covered a CCTV camera with a cloth, the court heard.
He was allegedly unable to open the machine and left it at the location.
His lawyer accepted that it was suspicious behaviour but argued he was an “innocent dupe” in the operation and did not know what was inside the large piece of machinery.
The prosecutor submitted that Jarkas had full knowledge of what was inside the machinery and his actions showed a “consciousness of guilt”, including by placing a cloth over a CCTV camera.
Magistrate Erin Kennedy said it was not a weak Crown case and despite a $600,000 surety being offered refused Jarkas bail.
Jarkas’ mother was in court for the bail application and said “we are not drug dealers” following the decision.
Jarkas, who has no previous criminal record, is due back in court later this month.
Meanwhile, Rose Bay father Ahmed Sadi, 46, also remains in custody and has been charged with take part large commercial prohibited drug supply and participate in criminal group contribute criminal activity.
Muhanned Muhammed, 36, from Sylvania, has been charged with participate criminal group contribute criminal activity and is currently on bail.