Alleged attempt to smuggle drugs into jailed Alan Ahmad Alameddine foiled

An alleged attempt to smuggle drugs into jail for crime figure Alan Ahmad Alameddine has been thwarted by corrections officers and a dog named Ripp. SEE THE VIDEO.

Prison officers – and a dog called “Ripp” – have thwarted an alleged attempt by a man and a pregnant woman to smuggle four balloons of suspected drugs to a jailed member of one of Sydney’s most notorious crime families.

Alan Ahmad Alameddine, 34, is believed to have been the target of the suspected drug-smuggling attempt, which is now the subject of a police investigation.

The Sunday Telegraph can reveal the incident occurred on February 1, when a man and woman arrived at the Long Bay Correctional Complex.

The K9 unit – along with officers from NSW Corrective Services’ Security Operations Group (SOG) – had been conducting searches of visitors when staff noticed the pair suddenly detour off the path to the jail.

Staff observed the pair bending down for about 30 seconds beside a car parked in the prison car park before they resumed their approach towards the front entrance of the jail.

Corrections officers, with Ripp, talk to the woman outside Long Bay jail. Picture: Corrective Services NSW.

Police arrive to talk to the man and woman. Picture: Corrective Services NSW

Prison authorities say the couple allowed themselves to be searched, with prison dog “Ripp” taking “a particular interest” in the handbag being carried by the woman and also the male visitor’s pocket.

The SOG officers and Ripp subsequently went out to the parked car the couple had been seen bending down at, and found four balloons filled with a substance hidden beneath.

Dog of the hour Ripp. Picture: NSW Corrective Services

Two of the balloons found under the car. Picture: NSW Corrective Services

After Ripp gave the sign of a “positive detection”, the officers detained the couple before contacting NSW Police.

A police spokesman said detectives from Eastern Beaches Police Area Command have commenced an investigation following the discovery of what is believed to the illicit drugs outside the jail.

“Police seized four balloons, believed to contain illegal drugs, which will be subject to further forensic investigation by specialist police,” he said.

Authorities believe the drugs were intended for Alan Ahmad Alameddine. Picture: Facebook

Ripp approaches the car parked outside the jail. Picture: NSW Corrective Services

Alameddine, 34, last appeared in Burwood Local Court on January 29 on a string of firearms offences, including acquiring prohibited ammunition, not keeping a firearm safely, and possessing unauthorised pistol.

He did not apply for bail.

Corrections Minister Anoulack Chanthivong praised the prison officers and the K9 unit for their work.

“This is an excellent example of the tremendous work our corrective services officers do to intercept contraband entering our correctional facilities,” he said.

“The message is clear – if you try to bring contraband into our prisons, you will be caught and the police will be notified, in order to keep our prisons and hardworking corrections officers safe.”

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