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Two Qantas baggage handlers and three other men have been charged after allegedly trying to import 100kg of cocaine worth $40 million into Sydney Airport.
Australian Federal Police arrested five men on Saturday as part of a major operation against an alleged drug syndicate using insiders at Sydney International Airport.
Baggage handlers Dareen Steven Bragg, 61, and Michael James McPherson, 55, were arrested on the airport tarmac just minutes after allegedly offloading the drugs from Qantas Flight 64 from Johannesburg, South Africa .
Bragg and McPherson, who worked for Jets Transport Express – a Qantas subcontractor – were allegedly told that 100kg of cocaine would be contained in four blue bags and one orange bag.
The drugs, with a street value of $40 million, were allegedly hidden in a container in the hold of the airliner.
Baggage handlers Dareen Steven Bragg, 61, and Michael James McPherson, 55, were arrested on the airport tarmac just minutes after allegedly unloading the 100kg of cocaine from Qantas Flight 64 from Johannesburg, Africa from South.
The importation was allegedly facilitated by Ahmed Haouchar, the brother of feared gangster Bilal Haouchar, according to court documents.
The arrests mark the end of a year-long investigation into an international drug operation.
For 12 months, the AFP observed that the drug syndicate allegedly used Flight QF64 as a highway to import illegal substances from South Africa and Australia.
The investigation, dubbed “Operation Lucian”, began in October 2022 following an airline report of suspicious activity near the cargo area of a Sydney-bound flight at Johannesburg.
A month later, investigators intercepted a text message exchange between Bragg and McPherson in which they discussed meeting David Peter Cain, 62.
Cain was allegedly instrumental in coordinating with Bragg and McPherson to move the cocaine off the tarmac and to an associate of the drug syndicate leader.
On Saturday, Bragg went to work at Sydney International Airport and waited for the ground crew to unload bags from the 3:08 p.m. flight QF64.
Once the bags were unloaded, Bragg and McPherson allegedly located the drugs on pallet 91394 and towed them to Gate 6.
The two men then loaded the five bags – each containing 20kg of cocaine – into a white van outside the cargo terminal, driven by 24-year-old Sydney man Ziad El-Mustapha.
The 24-year-old allegedly used Signal – an encrypted messaging app – to contact a stranger known as “Batman”.
Police rushed the trio as they were about to leave and allegedly found a handwritten note containing the number “91394” in Bragg’s pocket.
The drugs, with a street value of $40 million, were allegedly hidden in five bags – each containing 20kg of cocaine – in the hold of the airliner (pictured).
Australian Federal Police arrested Bragg, McPherson and Ziad El-Mustapha, 24, after the drugs were allegedly offloaded into a white van allegedly driven by El-Mustapha.
After taking Bragg, McPherson and El-Mustapha into custody, AFP detectives proceeded to arrest Cain and Haouchar, according to court documents.
Detectives used Bragg’s cellphone to send two text messages to Cain at 5:12 p.m.
“The driver was not at the fence when I returned. I have the bags at home. What should I do?’ says the first message.
“Buddy, I’m freaking out,” the second read.
Cain allegedly tried to call his “best friend” before going to Bragg’s apartment building in Coogee where he was arrested by Operation Lucian officers.
The AFP executed four search warrants at homes in Coogee, Mascot and Hillsdale following Saturday’s arrests, seizing a small quantity of drugs and a number of electronic devices.
AFP Detective Commissioner Kristie Cressy said the AFP was committed to targeting and disrupting organized crime syndicates that undermine Australia’s security.
“Transnational organized crime groups are actively attempting to corrupt people working at our airports because their access to airside operations is an active and effective means of facilitating the importation of illicit drugs,” Supt Cressy said.
“The AFP and its partners – including airport operators, airlines and service providers – treat these issues as a priority because of the damage that can be caused to our communities and businesses.”
The importation was allegedly facilitated by Ahmed Haouchar (left) – the brother of feared gangster Bilal Haouchar (right), according to court documents revealed.
Supt Cressy added that as an alleged “facilitator” of the work, Haouchar was allegedly liaising with figures in international organized crime.
“People with reliable access to an airport area are essential to the smooth functioning of Australia’s tourism and commerce sectors, but the AFP will not hesitate to investigate and prosecute those who abuse this trust by assisting and profiting from organized crime,” Superintendent Cressy said.
“We will argue that the organizer of this importation was well organized and had sufficient resources, while the men working with trusted insiders had the potential to contribute to extensive criminal activity if allowed to continue unchecked. “
Police executed search warrants in Coogee, Mascot and Hillsdale following the arrests (pictured). Bragg, McPherson, El-Mustapha, Cain and Haouchar were arrested and charged with drug offenses.
Bragg, McPherson and El-Mustapha were charged with importing a commercial quantity of cocaine and also possessing a commercial quantity of cocaine.
Police charged Cain with conspiracy to import a commercial quantity of cocaine.
Haouchar was arrested in Rushcutter’s Bay later Saturday evening and charged with possession of a commercial quantity of cocaine.
All five men appeared in Parramatta Magistrates’ Court on Sunday, without making an application for bail.
It is believed Haouchar’s lawyer will make a bail application at Downing Center Local Court on Monday.
Bragg, McPherson, El-Mustapha and Cain will face court again on November 30.