Close friends of John Ibrahim have revealed he is ‘a shattered man’ after his son was arrested following raids on his Sydney mansion as they claim he hates his ‘Teflon John’ nickname.
Three members of the Ibrahim family were arrested as part of an international operation targeting an alleged $810 million drug ring in early August.
‘He’s upset that his son got caught up,’ said Tony Achmar, who claims to be a close friend and adviser to John.
Close friends of John Ibrahim have revealed he is ‘a shattered man’ after his son was arrested following raids on his Sydney mansion as they claim he hates his ‘Teflon John’ nickname
Speaking to Matt Doran on Channel Seven’s Sunday Night program, Tony ‘The Inspector’ Achmar said Kings Cross identity John Ibrahim was ‘a shattered man’ and ‘very upset’ members of his family, including his son Daniel Ibrahim, are allegedly involved in crime.
Daniel Ibrahim was one of 18 people arrested in early August as part of a massive police operation.
The 26-year-old was arrested in Sydney for allegedly handing over a suitcase holding $2.25 million to buy illegal tobacco as part of a deal allegedly masterminded by his uncle Michael Ibrahim.
Daniel spent three nights behind bars before his $630,000 bail surety was paid in full on August 11.
‘He’s upset that his son got caught up,’ said Tony Achmar, who claims to be a close friend and adviser to John Ibrahim
John’s son Daniel was one of 18 people arrested in early August as part of a massive police operation (Daniel pictured as he leaves the Sydney Police Centre after posting bail on August 11)
Daniel Ibrahim, also known as Daniel Taylor, the son of Kings Cross nightclub owner John Ibrahim, leaves the Sydney Police Centre after posting bail on August 11
Appearing on Sunday Night, Mr Achmar said John Ibrahim was not involved in his brothers’ alleged crime activity.
Mr Achmar said John condemned their alleged crimes.
‘So John has no clue about his family’s dealings?’ Mr Doran asked, to which Mr Achmar replied, ‘No, because they don’t tell him, he’d go off at them’.
Mr Achmar revealed John hated being dubbed ‘Teflon John’ – a name given to him because despite all the innuendo, he has never been convicted of a serious crime.
‘He doesn’t like that word Teflon, no, because they’re making out he’s some underworld figure who’s put contracts out on people and hurt people,’ he said.
Three members of the Ibrahim family were arrested as part of an international operation targeting an alleged $810 million drug ring in early August (police pictured during raid)
John Ibrahim (left) is seen with brother Michael (second from right), son Daniel (right), and friend Margaret Staltaro
When Mr Doran asked if he was an underworld figure, Mr Achmar replied ‘No (but) you come near his family and his bread-and-butter, he’s going to take you on.’
Former New South Wales assistant commissioner Clive Small told the program he believed ‘Teflon John’ was ‘the best description of him’.
‘He’s very rat-cunning and smart. He took a course somewhat different to the others. As a businessman, a flamboyant character,’ he said.
Instead of ‘Teflon John’, the businessman preferred to go by the name ‘Mr Legit’.
His claim to be ‘Mr Legit’ was disputed by his close friend Mr Achmar.
‘I’m not going to say he’s fully legit because I’d be … you know what I mean? He’s not fully legit. No one’s fully legit,’ he said.
John’s integrity was also supported by his good friend and radio personality Kyle Sandilands.
‘I’ve never seen anything dodgy, and believe me I looked, I looked like a hungry cat,’ Sandilands said.
‘The guy’s a hard worker and beautiful person to his friends.’
‘I’ve never seen anything dodgy, and believe me I looked, I looked like a hungry cat,’ Kyle Sandilands said
Sandilands has been a long-time friend of John Ibrahim, with the pair pictured partying together in Ibiza in 2015.
Four of the Ibrahim brothers, including John, have been shot.
‘It’s not insignificant and you can’t say it happened by chance,’ Mr Small said.
Ibrahim, whose fame was encapsulated in the 2010 TV series Underbelly: The Golden Mile, wasn’t charged during the raids across Sydney, The Netherlands and Dubai.
Police officers look down from the pool onto the alleged tunnel during raids on John Ibrahim’s property
An alleged secret tunnel was allegedly discovered by police during raids at the property in August
His brothers Michael and Fadi were arrested in Dubai, where they remain behind bars in prison awaiting extradition back to Australia. Michael previously served six years jail time for manslaughter.
His girlfriend Sarah Budge, 27, was also charged in Sydney for possession of a firearm.
His brother Sam, a former Nomads bikie boss, was previously charged and jailed for threatening to kill a business associate and intimidating police.
John has remained tight-lipped about his family’s alleged involvement in a drug and tobacco ring.
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