Inside billion dollar takedown of underworld Mr Big Bilal Haouchar

Underworld kingpin Bilal Haouchar was sitting at a Lebanese casino when local authorities came in and grabbed him, the biggest arrest of a major operation that started three days earlier in NSW.

Underworld kingpin Bilal Haouchar was sitting at a Lebanese casino when local authorities came in and grabbed him, the biggest arrest of a major operation that started three days earlier in NSW.

Police allege Haouchar has “run” one of Australia’s biggest crime syndicates from exile in Lebanon since 2018, ordering “kidnappings and the manufacture, supply and importation of drugs”.

But that syndicate has now been “dismantled, if not eliminated”, NSW Police claim, after arresting 28 people, seizing two tonnes worth of drugs, 25 guns, a Lamborghini and convincing their overseas counterparts to arrest Haouchar - a man many thought untouchable.

“This has turned Sydney’s underworld on its head,” one source said.

Regardless of whether Haouchar is ever extradited to Australia, even having him detained is being seen as a major win for the Organised Crime Squad-led Strike Force Tromperie which ran the 12-month investigation into the crime syndicate he allegedly runs.

Arrested.... Bilal Haouchar.

Police sources said in recent years as the Alameddines, Hamzys and Comancheros have taken all the headlines, the crew Haouchar allegedly runs had “flown under the radar”.

But that came to an end on Tuesday and Wednesday as more than 400 police raided dozens of homes across the city in suburbs including Georges Hall, Chipping Norton, Bonnyirgg and Granville.

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As he announced Strike Force Tromperie’s success, Deputy Commissioner Dave Hudson said it was a sign the state’s biggest alleged criminals could not longer run their business from overseas with impunity.

“I remember sitting in this room with (Organised Crime Squad boss) Mr Peter Faux about 12 months ago and we discussed this particular operation, and how we would approach it,” Mr Hudson said.

“And it has taken a very long time… but those strategies that were engaged, certainly I think eliminated the threat of this network.

Strike Force Tromperie arrest a man in Moorebank.

“I think the message is that there used to be a time in this state’s history where individuals who were wanted by us, (believed) when they left our shores, they were going to a safe haven - there are no safe havens.”

The Daily Telegraph can reveal that in recent weeks, as one of the biggest police operations in NSW history neared its conclusion, detectives began to forward plan.

Aware that taking out the alleged Haouchar syndicate would leave a void in the market, they spent time preparing for who would try to seize the opportunity - so they can be taken out just as quickly.

“We’ve already started a full strategic intelligence summary on who is going to take over and fill the void of these people,” Organised Crime Squad boss Detective Superintendent Peter Faux said.

“We are already looking at people, onshore, who we think it could be.

“We are already well and truly aware that there will be people trying to fill this void, so we have already started strategically targeting these people.”

Glen Alpine arrest. NSW Police dismantle international criminal syndicate – Strike Force Tromperie. Bilal Haoucher, one of Australia’s most wanted men, has been arrested in Lebanon after a secret operation involving NSW police.,

Organised Crime Squad boss Detective Superintendent Peter Faux (centre). Picture: David Swift

Strike Force Tromperie - whose name is based on the French word for “deception” - was forced into action prematurely on Sunday when Bilal Haouchar’s older brother Nedal “Ned” Haouchar, was stopped at Sydney International Airport as he was about to fly overseas.

Underworld sources said Ned Haouchar’s attempted overseas trip came after becoming aware of a plot by a rival crew to kidnap him.

Instead of flying overseas Ned faced Downing Centre Local Court on Monday charged with nine offences, among them two counts of supplying a large commercial quantity of drugs, directing the activities of a criminal group, and dealing with the proceeds of crime.

With the alleged drug boss’ brother behind bars on remand, police then continued their arrests in Sydney of those allegedly linked to the syndicate.

They included Rabeeh Mawas, 46, Charlton Schaafhausen, 27, Carolina Funa, 27, Ali Ibrahim, 23, Hatem Chaaban, 40, Leonard Coronel, 32, Luke Towler, 43, Davide Calava, 36 and Minh Truong, 36.

A man is taken into custody in Chipping Norton.

A man sitting outside a home in Guildford talks with police.

Also apprehended and charged were Transport for NSW employee Philip Leckloksavang, 38, Fadi El Zebdeh, 43, Daniel Nguyen, 36, Mustapha Fahal, 27, Alla Kassoua, 48, Ammar Chahal, 38, Lyndon Ballard, 35, Minh Truong, 36, Wessam Malak, 40, Mohammad Ibrahim, 26, Aaron Clark, 31, Foad Al Safi, Mosa Al Mashkor.

Hashem Ghanem was also arrested as part of the raids, but it is not alleged he had any links to or involvement in the Haouchar syndicate.

Police alleged in court documents that Fadi El Zebdeh “recently saw Bilal Haouchar when he travelled to Lebanon”, where the pair discussed “kidnappings” and “drugs”.

Haoaucher has been on the run in Lebanon since 2018.

Bilal Haouchar (right, in white T-shirt, looking at camera) and friends, believed to be at a friend’s house in Lebanon.

Det Supt Faux said the syndicate had allegedly moved more than $1 billion across cryptocurrency wallets.

“This has been a 12 month investigation in relation to a significant transnational international organized crime network,” Det Supt Faux said.

“What the investigation has shown is that an organized crime network of this level will go to every length they can to make themselves as powerful as they can and reap the rewards and unprofitable of the crime which they can meet.

“They recruit trusted insiders. They recruit people in legitimate businesses. They recruit people with technical skills, and that’s shown through this investigation.”

Originally published as Inside billion dollar takedown of underworld Mr Big Bilal Haouchar