Sydney Drug Kingpin Bilal Haouchar Sentenced to Eight Years in Lebanon

Bilal Haouchar, a Sydney drug kingpin, has been jailed for eight years in Lebanon, while Abdul Baghdadi received a seven-year sentence on similar charges. NSW Police have been monitoring associates of Haouchar in Australia, resulting in numerous arrests. Police assert that international fugitives cannot escape justice, and will continue efforts against organized crime.

Bilal Haouchar, a 39-year-old accused drug kingpin from Sydney, has been sentenced to eight years in prison in Lebanon on drug charges, according to reports from New South Wales (NSW) Police. Authorities allege that despite his relocation, Haouchar has continued to control the drug trade in Sydney. This situation reflects a growing trend among Sydney crime figures who seek refuge in Lebanon to evade justice.

In a related case, another Australian, Abdul Baghdadi, received a seven-year prison sentence in a Beirut court on similar charges. He too was connected to the drug supply network that runs between Australia and Lebanon. This crackdown came after NSW Police shared crucial evidence with Lebanese law enforcement.

Acting Assistant Commissioner of NSW Police, Jason Weinstein, remarked that this particular case illustrates their commitment to combatting international drug syndicates. He stressed that police will stop at nothing to bring criminals to justice and warned other underworld figures, stating “You can run but you cannot hide.”

Haouchar was living in Lebanon after he fled Australia in 2018 while facing kidnapping charges. Authorities assert he continued to orchestrate Sydney’s drug operations from abroad. In a related incident, Baghdadi also escaped Australia following a shooting incident but was apprehended in Lebanon shortly thereafter under suspicion of involvement with Haouchar’s networks.

Weinstein conveyed a stern warning to international criminal organizations. “This investigation sends an unequivocal message to anyone who thinks they can profit by bringing their illegal activities to the shores of our country,” he said. The police emphasized their ongoing efforts to detect and disrupt organized crime operations, indicating that no one is safe from prosecution, regardless of where they may flee.

Despite being overseas, Haouchar’s associates have remained under surveillance, leading to a significant police operation in which 40 individuals were arrested last year. This operation disrupted several drug supply chains, confiscating millions of dollars, weapons, and a substantial quantity of drugs in the process.

The trend of Australian fugitives relocating to Lebanon has intensified in recent years. Several members of Sydney’s notorious Hamzy and Alameddine crime families have similarly fled to Lebanon. Notable among them is Rafat Alameddine, who is wanted for his alleged role in a conspiracy to kill two Hamzy family members.

This kind of transnational evasion tactic has been increasingly exploited, with some criminals using their dual citizenships to escape extradition back to Australia. This case follows the successful arrest of drug importer Hakan Ayik in Turkey last year, showcasing a persistent international law enforcement collaboration aimed at dismantling these crime operations.

In summary, the sentencing of Bilal Haouchar and Abdul Baghdadi represents a significant achievement for NSW Police in their mission to tackle international drug crimes. This escalating situation serves as a reminder to favored crime figures operating abroad that law enforcement agencies remain vigilant and committed to justice, regardless of borders. The ongoing surveillance and cooperation between countries signal that criminals will eventually face their day in court.

Original Source: www.abc.net.au