Dubai aids Australian police in gang arrests
Five face extradition in co-ordinated raids with Sydney and the Netherlands
Five men arrested in Dubai in connection with a multimillion-dollar international drug-trafficking ring face extradition to Australia.
A multinational police operation to crack a notorious crime syndicate with links in the UAE, Australia and the Netherlands occurred over Monday night.
Police in Dubai arrested the five in connection with shipments of more than 1.9 tonnes of the drug ecstacy, with a street value of A$810 million (Dh2.4 billion), destined for Australia.
One of those arrested is said to be Koder Jomaa, owner of The Fit Kitchen, a restaurant in Jumeirah Lakes Towers.
The others arrested in the UAE were identified as Mustapha Dib, Stephen Elmir and brothers Michael and Fadi Ibrahim, who were the subject of a TV crime series in Sydney called Underbelly: The Golden Mile.
The Ibrahim brothers and Mr Dib were picked up by local officers, Australian federal police and the Middle East Organised Crime Squad after leaving a Dubai restaurant.
Police claim the syndicate arranged, bought and organised the importation of drugs on cargo containers between November last year and this month.
The year-long pursuit was hailed as an example of how effective cross-border partnerships can be in the fight against international crime.
The Ministry of Justice and Dubai Prosecution and Police were praised for helping to conduct the UAE side of the operation swiftly and effectively.
“A united response from law enforcement and partner agencies in Australia and overseas is critical to our efforts to dismantle organised criminal networks,” said Australian federal police assistant chief Neil Gaughan.
“The people we allege are part of this syndicate are Middle Eastern organised crime figures who are well-known to law enforcement.
“For decades this group has flaunted their wealth and activities, telling the community they were untouchable. Today it should be obvious they are not.
“This result could not have been achieved without the comprehensive and ongoing support of our partners in the UAE and the Netherlands.”
Maj Gen Abdullah Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, said: “The relationship among these countries is solid, especially when it comes to the fight against drug traffickers.
“Per the directives of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, Dubai Police exert massive effort to keep the community safe.”
Staff at The Fit Kitchen were unaware of Mr Jomaa’s arrest or any criminal connections.
“Mr Jomaa comes in to see us regularly as he uses a gym near by,” a manager said. “He likes to check on the business from time to time but we don’t know anything about his arrest.
“Everything is normal here and we are carrying on.”
Staff at the nearby Fidelity Fitness Club said they had not seen Mr Jomaa “for a few days”.
Australian officials will now try to get those arrested extradited to face charges in Sydney.
Called Operation Veyda, the sting led to 30 search warrants being executed across Sydney by the federal and New South Wales police, with significant seizures of drugs and firearms.
Police made 17 arrests, including the five in Dubai and two in the Netherlands.
Another Ibrahim brother, John, had his luxury Sydney property raided, although he insists he is a reformed character.
The brothers were known as Kings of the Cross, after the nightlife centre of Kings Cross in Sydney, where the Ibrahims ran dozens of clubs and bars.
John Ibrahim was the inspiration for Underbelly: The Golden Mile.