Brother of accused drug kingpin Bilal Haouchar bolts from media in first court appearance since being granted bail

Nedal Haouchar donned dark sunglasses and used his lawyer for cover in an attempt to dodge the media as he entered the courthouse. Things ramped up even further when he left.

Nedal Haouchar sprints out of court and away from the media on Wednesday. Picture: Julian Andrews

Police allege he’s the Aussie-based Mr Big in a multimillion-dollar transnational drug operation linked to his infamous sibling, but Nedal Haouchar, brother of alleged crime kingpin Bilal, was doing everything he could to avoid the spotlight on Wednesday.

In his first court appearance since being granted $3.5m bail last year, Nadal Haouchar made repeated attempts to dodge the media outside Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court, donning a pair of dark sunglasses and ducking behind his lawyer in a bid to enter the building incognito.

Nedal Haouchar (wearing glasses), pictured attempting to hide behind his lawyer, Talal Krayem, outside Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday. Picture: Julian Andrews

He was no more friendly towards the cameras when he left the courthouse a short time later, sprinting down the steps and running towards Elizabeth St - with cameras in hot pursuit.

Haouchar, who was arrested at Sydney Airport in November last year sporting a one-way ticket to Asia, is facing nine charges including large commercial drug supply, dealing with the proceeds of crime and knowingly directing the activities of a criminal group.

According to court documents, police will allege he was one of the chief “onshore facilitators” in a booming drug operation allegedly linked to his brother.

The court heard Haouchar allegedly used the encrypted communication app Threema to organise the sale of 12kgs of cocaine across two separate deals on different dates in October 2022.

Haouchar will remain on conditional bail ahead of his next court appearance in March. Picture: Julian Andrews

He also stands accused of dealing in $4.4m in cash - the alleged proceeds of crime - over a period of five weeks about the same time.

Haouchar was arrested in November 2023 and remanded in custody for a month before being released on strict conditional bail by the NSW Supreme Court.

As part of his liberty, Haouchar must abide by a home detention condition, which will prevent him from leaving his house unless he is reporting to police twice a day or attending court, or legal or medical appointments.

He must also wear an electronic ankle monitor and cannot use encrypted apps on his phone.

In court on Wednesday, prosecutors sought an eight-week adjournment to allow police to continue serving their brief of evidence against him.

Haouchar’s lawyer, Talal Krayem, did not oppose the application and it was granted.

The case will return to court in March.