Jailed man Gabi Nehme charged over alleged 78kg of cocaine import to operate out of Sydney’s southwest

A man already serving time behind bars has been charged over allegedly attempting to import 78kg of cocaine into Australia.

Police charged a man over the alleged import at Silverwater jail.

A man already serving time behind bars has been charged over the alleged attempted importation of 78kg of cocaine.

Specialist officers launched Strike Force Meadowlake in an attempt to curb the importation and supply of illicit drugs operating out of Sydney’s southwest.

Gabi Nehme was arrested at Silverwater Correctional Complex on Wednesday where he was charged with possessing commercial quantity unlawful import: border controlled drug.

The 40-year-old’s matter was heard at Bankstown Local Court where his lawyer requested for an eight week-adjournment because his client was charged with “another quite serious offence”.

Police will allege in court he imported 78kg of cocaine in 2.25 tonnes (2250kg) of cocoa powder.

Nehme was charged in June with firearm, drugs and proceeds of crime offences after police seized 2000kg of cocaine falsely listed as cocoa powder.

Police began investigating in March when the shipment arrived and the cargo was listed as more than 5000kg of cocoa powder from South Africa.

Border Force and AFP testing of the substance confirmed it contained 2250kg of cocaine but the powder was then replaced with a fake substance.

Police swarmed homes in western Sydney where they seized 2kg of cocaine, 6kg of MDMA, pistols, a rifle, a pump action shotgun, knuckle dusters and a bulletproof vest.

Magistrate Shane McAnulty adjourned both matters to Burwood Court on September 4.

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