Masood Zakaria’s dad Omar charged with dealing with proceeds of crime

Police allege Masood Zakaria’s dad concealed cash and gemstones on behalf of his criminal son, who fled overseas in late 2021 after a warrant was issued for his arrest.

The father of Masood Zakaria, Australia’s most wanted man, has faced court accused of hiding hundreds of thousands of dollars of dirty money belonging to his fugitive son.

Omar Zakaria, 61, was charged with two counts of dealing with property that is the proceeds of crime after police raided his Westmead home on December 8, 2021, uncovering $200,000 in cash, 30 pieces of jewellery and 210 precious gemstones.

Police allege the stash was the spoils of the criminal activities of Masood, a senior member of the Alameddine crime clan, who fled overseas just weeks after the police raid when authorities issued a warrant for his arrest over the August 2021 attempted murder of rival gang member Ibrahem Hamze. Omar is not accused of any wrongdoing in relation to Hamze’s death.

It is alleged Masood had given the dirty cash to his father over time for safekeeping, with video footage taken from a hidden camera planted in Masood’s car and played in Parramatta Local Court on Friday showing the younger Zakaria handing a man — allegedly his father — a wad of $50 notes just five days before the police bust.

The footage is believed to be some of the last captured of Masood, who is understood to be hiding in the Middle East.

Police allege Omar Zakaria (right) has been hiding his son Masood’s ill-gotten gains.

The court heard police found $150,000 in cash in a black duffel bag at the bottom of a cupboard in one of Omar’s bedrooms, while more money was found in two safes, a suitcase and a padlocked room at the rear of his house.

In an interview with police after his arrest, Omar claimed the precious stones were part of his legitimate gemstone business, however also told police he was a full-time carer for his brother and received a Centrelink pension.

The court heard police had been unable to unearth any documentation demonstrating Omar’s gemstone business had generated turnover.

When asked about the cash in the duffel bag, Omar allegedly told detectives neither the bag nor the cash was his, but he knew of its existence, that it belonged to his son, and he had not “dealt” with it.

It was confirmed Masood’s DNA had been found on the bag, but not his father’s.

In relation to other money discovered, Omar allegedly claimed it was the proceeds of previous gemstones sales, as well as money from his pension and wins on the pokies.

Omar was supported in court by a man and a woman, the latter believed to be his daughter, Masood’s sister.

The matter will return to court on February 21 for Magistrate Stephen Barlow to hear further evidence and determine the case.

Omar’s bail was continued.

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