Alleged international tobacco import ring used western Sydney Bunnings carpark as base

An international tobacco smuggling syndicate used a western Sydney Bunnings car park as its depot for illegal smokes, a court heard Wednesday. Seven of the alleged eight smugglers appeared in court charged over a multimillion-dollar import scheme.

An international tobacco smuggling syndicate used a western Sydney Bunnings car park as its depot for illegal smokes, a court has heard.

Seven of the alleged eight smugglers — with links to Hong Kong, Dubai, Europe and America — appeared in court on Wednesday charged over a multimillion-dollar importation scheme.

Small-time couriers Alaeddine El Masri and Ali Khalil, who allegedly picked up the smokes from the Rydalmere Bunnings, were granted bail.

Ali Khalil, 22, was arrested at his Yagoona home in Sydney’s southwest on Tuesday.

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Hamad Masri, Nadim Kanssan, Ibrahim Al Am Ali, Ahmed Masri and Azeem Khan were alleged to have bigger roles in the syndicate which avoided paying $9 million in import duties.

The group — arrested on Tuesday when heavily armed police raided 19 homes and businesses — is accused of importing seven tonnes of illicit tobacco worth $1.8 million and 475,000 packets of illegal cigarettes.

Alaeddine El Masri was one of the seven accused who appeared in court. Picture: Facebook

Alaeddine El Masri was granted bail at Liverpool Local Court on Tuesday. Picture: Facebook

Representing Hamad Masri in Liverpool Local Court on Wednesday, barrister Peter Lang said the prosecution couldn’t prove he knew the cigarettes were proceeds of a crime.

Magistrate David Degnan said it was unlikely Hamad Masri didn’t know what he was doing was illegal.

“Bunnings is a hardware store not a distribution centre for tobacco or other types of goods as far as I am aware,” he told Liverpool Local Court.

Representing the alleged money launderer Khan, barrister Johnson Jiang said Khan wouldn’t survive prison because he had a rare blood disorder.

“He has been receiving lifesaving drug and lifesaving treatment since 2015,” he said.

Mr Degnan said Khan was an unacceptable risk and could flee the country on a fake passport.

“The accused explains he can complete transactions up to $5 million, then there are allegations that he did issue the dummy invoices, set up businesses and bank accounts in Hong Kong and create social security details in the USA,” Mr Degnan said as he refused his bail.

Police raid a home in Punchbowl on Tuesday. Picture: Adam Yip

Detectives sort through boxes at a restaurant that was raided on Tuesday in Bankstown. Picture: John Grainger

Khan’s family members sobbed in the courtroom, his sister fainted in the lobby and his lawyer Elie Srour called an ambulance.

Ibrahim Al Am Ali was refused bail for his part in allegedly loading a ton of cigarettes into the back of truck despite complaining of a sore shoulder and hip.

All men face charges associated with the possession of tobacco more than 500kg and participate in an organised syndicate.

The matters were adjourned to Burwood Local Court on July 19.

Originally published as Alleged international tobacco import ring used western Sydney Bunnings carpark as base