Olivia Newton-John’s surprising connection to accused drug lord Mostafa Baluch

Olivia Newton-John has a surprising connection to accused drug lord Mostafa Baluch, it has been revealed.  

The iconic singer, 73, is godmother to Baluch’s sister-in-law Jerusha McGrath, better know on YouTube as vlogger JerushaCouture, the Sydney Morning Herald reported on Saturday.

The social media star, 37, is married to Will Baluch, who is a chef at Lucky & Pep’s pizzeria in Newport and owned by his family. 

Connection: Olivia Newton-John has a surprising connection to accused drug lord Mostafa Baluch who was extradited to Sydney following his dramatic arrest at the Queensland border

According to the publication, the pop icon has previously called Jerusha the ‘daughter of my dearest friend,’ who is Manly real estate agent Jillian McGrath. 

The Australian pop icon’s close bond with the McGrath mother and daughter was seen back in 2010.

California-based Olivia travelled to Sydney for the opening of the social media star’s boutique in leafy Neutral Bay, which is now no longer operating.  

Family ties: Olivia is godmother to Baluch’s sister-in-law Jerusha McGrath (pictured), better know on YouTube as vlogger JerushaCouture, the Sydney Morning Herald reported on Saturday. She is married to Will Baluch, who is a chef Lucky & Pep’s pizzeria in Newport 

Close: According to the publication, the 73-year-old icon has previously called Jerusha the ‘daughter of my dearest friend’ who is Manly real estate agent Jillian McGrath. The Australian pop icon’s close bond with the McGrath mother and daughter was seen back in 2010. Pictured together

In a comment to Daily Mail Australia, Jerusha McGrath’s spokesperson said: ‘Jerusha and Olivia wish all the best for her in-laws. No further comment thank you.’

Olivia Newton-John’s representatives told Daily Mail Australia she has never met Mostafa Baluch and knows nothing about him. 

Mostafa Baluch, 33, was arrested at the Queensland/NSW border allegedly attempting to flee Australia on Wednesday morning, and extradited back to Sydney on Thursday.

Baluch – who is facing charges over a 900kg haul of cocaine – allegedly went on the run from police for 16 days after cutting off his ankle monitor while on bail and sparking ‘one of the largest fugitive hunts in the country’. 

Mostafa Baluch, 33, was arrested at the Queensland/NSW border allegedly attempting to flee Australia on Wednesday morning, and extradited back to Sydney on Thursday

NSW Police have since charged Baluch – who was expected to face Sydney’s Central Local Court on Friday – with an outstanding arrest warrant.

Baluch finally left the Southport watchhouse around 1pm on Thursday under heavy police guard for his long-awaited return to NSW.

The accused drug lord then landed in a small PolAir6 – a Cessna Grand Caravan – at Bankstown Airport on Thursday evening, with images from the runway showing him being led off the plane in shackles. 

Baluch had been facing charges on alleged drug offences related to a 900kg shipment of cocaine into Australia with a street value of $270 million.

He had allegedly planned to escape Australia by boat from Far North Queensland before sailing to Indonesia and onto Thailand.

From there, he allegedly planned to fly to Eastern Europe to meet connections.

Baluch’s case was mentioned in court on Friday where he did not appear and his lawyer Moustafa Kheir did not apply for bail.

A fresh charge of breaching bail was also laid by NSW Police.

The matter was adjourned and Baluch will reappear on December 1. 

The accused drug lord then landed in a small PolAir6 – a Cessna Grand Caravan – at Bankstown Airport on Thursday evening, with images from the runway showing him being led off the plane in shackles