Ahmed Jarkas of Yagoona in alleged $97.5m ice importation from Central America
A man has faced court for the first time after he was arrested and charged over the alleged importation of 130kg of meth from Central America.
The Express
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The man charged over the importation of more than $97 million of meth from Central America has fronted court for the first time.
Ahmed Jarkas was arrested at his home in Yagoona on Thursday and charged with supplying 130kg of methylamphetamine.
The 26-year-old appeared in the dock wearing an Adidas sweat shirt at his brief hearing at Bankstown Local Courts on Friday.
Police documents tendered to court state that between 12pm on Wednesday, January 22, and 6.50am on Thursday, January 30, Mr Jarkas “did knowing take part in the supply of an amount of a prohibited drug, 130kg of methylamphetamine being an amount which is not less than the large commercial quantity applied to that prohibited drug”.
Magistrate Sally McLaughlin adjourned the case until Wednesday, April 1 with Mr Jarkas to remain in custody. Mr Jarkas’ lawyer made no bail application.
According to Strike Force Redgurnard detectives, the drugs were allegedly concealed inside a large piece of machinery which had arrived at a Sydney freight depot from Central America in December.
Acting on a tip off from NSW Police, Australian Border Force officers examined the consignment and found some inconsistencies.
Organised Crime Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Martin Fileman, said investigations are ongoing.
“The Organised Crime Squad and the entire NSW Police Force is focused on working with our partners to target the criminal networks who import, manufacture and supply illicit drugs,” Det Supt Fileman said.
“We’re talking about 130kg of methamphetamine, so you’re talking about nearly $100 million worth of drugs that aren’t going to hit the streets of Sydney and aren’t going to hit the regional cities of NSW, so it is extremely significant.
“The substance was tested and returned a presumptive positive result for methylamphetamine, which has an estimated potential street value of $97.5 million.
“Strike Force Redgurnard investigators, with assistance from the Australian Federal Police and ABF, seized the consignment and conducted a controlled delivery.”