By Jessica McSweeney
They are alleged to be the top dogs of Sydney’s cocaine food chain, supplying $1.8 billion worth of the drug in just four months, but now police say they have dismantled the notorious criminal group known as “The Commission”.
The group, which police claim had high-profile criminal members including slain cocaine kingpin Alen Moradian, allegedly would control the price of cocaine in Sydney by supplying more than 1.2 tonnes of the drug from February to July and controlling that supply to increase profits.
A man was arrested in July, allegedly leading police to uncover the larger group. Credit: NSW Police
Police allege the group used sophisticated hidden compartments in vehicles to transport the drugs.
After a major operation, including 20 early morning raids, NSW Police have now charged seven people who allegedly played roles in distributing the cocaine as part of The Commission.
In April this year, police began investigating 21-year-old Khalid Mohamed and his associates for the supply of cocaine. During a search, police say they found $20 million worth of cocaine in his home and a nearby car.
He was arrested in July and charged with supplying a commercial quantity of drugs and participating in a criminal group. He is set to face Parramatta Local Court on Thursday.
A firearm found during the raids. Credit: NSW Police
Detectives then uncovered the man’s alleged role in a much larger drug supply scheme, eventually identifying the large organised crime network they call The Commission.
After months of investigation, detectives executed 20 search warrants at homes around Sydney at 6am on Wednesday.
During the search, detectives say they found 20 kilograms of cocaine in a bag thrown over a fence, 10 cars, $800,000 in cash, four firearms, a Rolex watch and two ballistic vests.
Police allege more than 12 kilograms of cocaine was also found in hidden compartments in the cars. Police estimate the total street value of the drugs found on Wednesday alone was worth more than $55 million.
Police say drugs were hidden in compartments in vehicles. Credit: NSW Police
“The supply of cocaine to Sydney has continued to poison this city for years and has fuelled and funded the organised tit-for-tat violence police see today,” NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said.
“Following these significant arrests and seizures, I am pleased to say that this particular source of poison is no more.”
Organised crime squad commander Detective Superintendent Peter Faux said the group played the role of government, bank and economy in Sydney’s underworld.
Detectives say the reputation of The Commission was so great that rival cocaine dealers would falsely claim to be members to instil fear in the community.
“There’s so much narrative around The Commission that, in all honesty, no one probably really knows the true story … the methodology, their professionalism and the complexities around this crew is all consistent with being a part of The Commission,” Faux said.
In total seven men have been arrested in connection with the group, making up the controller, money launderers, facilitators and drug runners, police allege.
Police allege the group became the top supplier of cocaine after the Haouchar crime group was dismantled. Detectives said they have groups in their sights that may try to move in after the destruction of The Commission.
Jibreel Bakir, 25, was charged with four counts of supplying a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug, six counts of dealing with proceeds of a crime and directing the activities of a criminal group.
He appeared before Bankstown Local Court on Wednesday, where he did not apply for bail and bail was formally refused. He will return to court on November 13.
Laith Bakir, 26, was charged with two counts of supplying a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug, two counts of dealing with proceeds of a crime, dealing with the property proceeds of a crime and participating in a criminal group. He appeared before Parramatta Court on Thursday where he did not apply for bail and had it formally refused.
Akrom Hamzy, 27, was charged with four counts of supplying a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug, participating in a criminal group and failing to comply with a digital evidence access order direction. He did not apply for bail and had it formally refused at Campbelltown Local Court on Thursday.
Houssam Khoder-Agha was charged with two counts of supplying a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug, dealing with proceeds of a crime, participating in a criminal group, failing to comply with a digital evidence access order direction and possessing a criminal encrypted digital device. He was refused bail at Bankstown Local Court on Thursday.
Duy Phung Nguyen, 34, was charged with 39 counts of dealing with proceeds of a crime, possessing a firearm and participating in a criminal group while Huy Minh Tran, 33, was charged with supplying a commercial quantity of a prohibited drug. Both were refused bail at Fairfield and Campbelltown Local Courts respectively on Thursday.
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