Quarantine officer Erol Ibrahim avoids jail over orchid farm bribery
A former quarantine officer who turned insider for a Victorian orchid farm, taking cash and gifts for turning a blind eye to their imported flowers, has avoided jail.
Law & Order
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A former quarantine officer who turned insider for a Victorian orchid farm, taking cash and gifts for turning a blind eye to their imported flowers, has avoided jail.
Erol Ibrahim, 37, would doctor his shifts for the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources at Melbourne’s airport freight centre to ensure he was working when international shipments addressed to The Orchid Man flower business arrived.
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He would inspect the incoming flowers in a less robust and thorough way to avoid them being damaged and give the Hoppers Crossing-based farm an edge on their competitors.
The officer also provided information to The Orchid Man business owner Allan Neo on other shipments from rival orchid farmers.
Ibrahim pleaded guilty in the County Court to two charges: receiving a bribe as a Commonwealth officer and unauthorised disclosure of information.
He was on Wednesday convicted and sentenced to three years’ jail, but was freed immediately on a recognisance release order where he promised to the court he would be of good behaviour for three years.
Judge Michael McInerney also ordered him to pay a $10,000 fine.
The County Court judge condemned Ibrahim’s behaviour saying it was “a gross breach of trust” and the flowers may have introduced detrimental diseases or insects to Australia.
“By your actions, you put in jeopardy this country’s border security,” Judge McInerney said.
He said the family-run business was able to control the market for imported flowers through the classified information Ibrahim provided them.
“By accessing such information, you were able to give the Neos commercial advantage,” he said.
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In return, Judge McInerney said Ibrahim received a “constellation of benefits” from the Neos between 2011 and 2017 valued at $10,000, including cash, alcohol and assistance for accommodation on overseas holidays.
In his record of interview, Ibrahim described himself as a personal assistant to Mr Neo.
The pair quickly became close after meeting through a mutual friend.
Ibrahim, a CFA volunteer for 11 years, also worked weekend shifts at the orchid farm, where he was paid for the hours worked.
Judge McInerney said Ibrahim’s guilty plea, remorse, lack of priors and commitment to help authorities prosecute Mr Neo had saw him escape spending time behind bars.
“Had you not pleaded guilty, you would’ve been sent to jail immediately,” he warned.
He said he got a substantial discount for his promise to give evidence in Mr Neo’s case, which will be heard in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court in October, and that if he does not follow through the jail term would be 4½ years.