Fadi Ibrahim was ‘not a passive lender but an active investor’ helping his brother Michael import tobacco into Australia, a court has heard.
Fadi appeared via video link in Central Local Court on Monday facing two money laundering charges and has applied for bail.
A day after his extradition from Dubai the 43-year-old listened as Commonwealth Crown prosecutor Matthew Kalyk outlined the case against him.
‘This applicant is not a fool,’ Mr Kalyk said.
Fadi Ibrahim will apply for bail hours after being extradited to Australia from Dubai
Sam Ibrahim was one of four men facing court on Monday for their alleged involvement in an internationl drug-smuggling syndicate
Fadi is accused of two money laundering offences: one of providing $800,000 towards illegally importing tobacco and one of receiving $1.6 million from the proceeds of that operation.
Mr Kalyk said Michael Ibrahim had been recorded stating Fadi had doubled his money from the alleged investment.
Michael was allegedly recorded on three occasions saying he had borrowed money from Fadi, who in turn had drawn down $1 million on his home loan.
Mr Kalyk said Fadi was ‘not a passive lender but an active investor’ in Michael’s activities.
Friends and supporters arrive at Central Local Court in Sydney with Sam and Fadi Ibrahim, Koder Jomaa and Mustapha Dib facing charges for alleged roles in international drug-smuggling syndicate
Michael, 39, was not required to appear when drug charges against him were mentioned in the same court.
In opposing bail for Fadi, Mr Kalyk said there was a risk the company director would fail to appear at future court dates or would interfere with witnesses or evidence.
His criminal history included an entry for intending to influence a witness and the charges he faced carried maximum penalties of 20 and 25 years.
Mr Kalyk said Fadi had criminal associations, access to large sums of money the Crown case against him was strong.
His wife Shayda would not be a suitable person to supervise him on bail because she had attempted to leave the jurisdiction in 2010 despite representations from Fadi that she would surrender herself.
Stephen Zahr, lawyer for Koder Jomaa, arrives at court after the 47-year-old was arrested during dramatic raids in Dubai
Mustafa Dib, who was extradited from Dubai with the Ibrahims and Koder Jomaa, was not required to appear when drug charges against him were mentioned.
The 34-year-old is accused of attempting to import a commercial quantity of ecstasy.
He is also accused of conspiring with Michael Ibrahim, Nejmi Saki, Hakan Arif, Hassan Fakhreddine, Ahmad Ahmad and others to import a commercial quantity of ecstasy.
Jomaa, 47, is accused of attempting to import 200 kilograms of ecstasy and conspiring to import a commercial quantity of ecstasy.
Michael Ibrahim, Dib and Jomaa did not apply for bail and it was formally refused.
Friends and supporters of the Ibrahims, Jomaa and Dib conceal their identities as they walk inside the courthouse
Outside court, Mr Jomaa’s lawyer Steven Zahr said his client would fight the charges, and was ‘doing well’.
‘He’s back in Australia and ready to deal with this matter,’ Mr Zahr said. ‘He’s doing well…no complaints’.’
Michael and Fadi Ibrahim arrived back in Sydney on Sunday night to face charges relating to their roles in an alleged drug and tobacco smuggling syndicate.
The cuffed brothers were led into custody by Australian Federal Police officers with their wrists and waists heavily shackled.
The brothers were arrested on the street in Dubai on August 8 for their alleged roles in an $810 million drug ring spanning across Sydney, the Netherlands and Dubai.
The haul, which included 1.8 tonnes of MDMA, was seized by authorities in the Netherlands in July.
The Underworld figures are facing charges for their alleged involvement in an international drug-smuggling syndicate
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