Day Michael Ibrahim started cutting deals to import drugs

Until now, the “professional smuggler” had only met Ryan Watsford. It was time to delve deeper. An opportunity presented when Watsford messed up a deal and Michael Ibrahim had to be called in to clean up the mess. READ THE TRANSCRIPT

• How undercover agent brought down an Ibrahim
• Why John didn’t want to be around dodgy deals

Until now, the “professional smuggler” had only met Ryan Watsford. It was time to delve deeper.

An opportunity presented when Watsford messed up a cigarette deal and Michael Ibrahim had to be called in to clean up the mess, putting him on a path that would end in his arrest.

The professional smuggler was in fact an undercover police officer.

Meeting date: November 10, 2016. 8.18pm

Sheraton on the Park Hotel, Sydney CBD

Attendees:

J Undercover opertaive Joe

M Michael Ibrahim

R Ryan Watsford

M You can get in anything you want?

J We’ve got a door basically that guarantees …

J He (referring to Watsford) goes ‘I don’t want to know’ (about importing drugs), that’s why I haven’t said anything to you.

J But we obviously charge a price and …

M F**ken oath.

J You’ve got to organise it first and then we’ll just guarantee it gets in. But if you want to use our companies and stuff that’s additional fees. We’ll have to sit down and talk about it. It depends.

M Why aren’t youse doing f**king rack and shit like that?

J Yeah, why do you think what I’ve got going on is stressing me out? Because the paperwork needs to be 100 per cent legit because people f**k it up all the time and they don’t understand that I have to go run around and fix it. That’s what I’ve been doing the last couple of days. And that’s what I’ve got to do tomorrow. That’s why I can’t. But um. And money man moving.

THE IBRAHIM TAPES: READ THE TRANSCRIPTS

‘I HELPED SALIM MEHAJER WITH HIS MONEY’

‘YOU’VE EMBARRASSED ME IN FRONT OF THESE GUYS’

‘WE’RE LOOKING AT 20 YEARS JAIL, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN’

PARTYING IN THAILAND WITH THE IBRAHIM FAMILY

Michael Ibrahim.

Ryan Watsford.

LATER IN THE MEETING

M Mate, since you’re fair dinkum, I’ll start dealing with you directly, if you’re keen.

J I’ll never cut him (Watsford) out, you know what I mean. He’s your mate, obviously. Whatever.

M I’ll start, I’ll start ….

M I’ll start f**king dealing with it. I’ll start running. I’ll start seeing people for you.

M Cause I know you’re capable.

J Yeah man. And …

J Do you wanna, I’ll just send …

M I’ll send you my one.

J I’ll just, yeah whatever.

THE IBRAHIM TAPES: READ THE TRANSCRIPTS

HOW DEAL OVER SMUGGLED CIGARETTES TURNED UGLY

‘FOOLPROOF’ METHOD OF IMPORTING DRUGS INTO COUNTRY

‘I’VE GOT 50 KEGS OF COCAINE IN LEBANON READY’

Watsford, Ibrahim and the “professional smuggler” met at the Sheraton on the Park Hotel.

PHONE MESSAGE TONES

M … Monday, it’s a done deal. They (the people buying the cigarettes) want to get it done.

J Monday.

M Yep, Monday.

J All right.

M All right mate.

J Nice to meet you. Don’t worry, this shit happens man …

M It’s embarrassing ….

J I know it’s not you guy. I’ll make sure 100 per cent Monday.

M Anything you bring in. Anything you come across, let me know.

J Yeah, 100 per cent.

M I’ll move anything you want. You know what I mean, anything you can get.

J Let’s talk. Let’s do this on Monday then we’ll sit down lunch or whatever and we’ll talk

M Anything else … I’ll be like your f**king where … you know no one’s ever going to rob me.

J Yeah all right.

M (undecipherable)

J We’ll sit down and have lunch and we’ll sit down and talk about the rates that we charge and whatever.

J I’m sure he’s told you but money as well. That’s our major. That’s easy. Nice to meet you. M Nice to meet you. Sorry again.

Originally published as Day Michael Ibrahim started cutting deals to import drugs