Sydney Drug Kingpin Bilal Haouchar Jailed in Lebanon After Persistent Pursuit by NSW Police
Sydney drug kingpin Bilal Haouchar, 39, has been jailed in Lebanon for eight years on drug charges, continuing to control the Sydney drug trade from abroad. Another fugitive, Abdul Baghdadi, received a seven-year sentence. NSW Police assert their determination to dismantle international crime networks, warning that evading justice is futile.
Bilal Haouchar, a 39-year-old Australian fugitive, has been sentenced to eight years in prison in Lebanon on drug charges, as reported by New South Wales Police. Authorities allege that Haouchar has remained a substantial player in the Sydney drug trade while residing overseas. Alongside him, Abdul Baghdadi received a seven-year sentence for similar charges in a Beirut court, reflecting the serious crackdown on drug-related crime.
Haouchar’s recent sentencing is significant—he reportedly fled Australia in 2018 while awaiting kidnapping charges. Law enforcement officials suggest that he has continuously overseen the operations of the Sydney drug scene from abroad. Meanwhile, Baghdadi was arrested in Lebanon shortly after fleeing Australia following a shooting incident linked to Haouchar’s crime network.
Police have been adamant in their pursuit of people involved in organized crime. Acting Assistant Commissioner Jason Weinstein stated that detectives are determined to dismantle international drug syndicates. He emphasized that the recent actions send a strong message, indicating, “This investigation sends an unequivocal message to anyone who thinks they can profit by bringing their illegal activities to the shores of our country or inflict harm on the citizens of NSW.”
Weinstein warned that the New South Wales Police and their partners are relentless in their pursuit of justice, adding, “You can run but you cannot hide.” The past year saw a major crack-down where police arrested 40 individuals, seizing millions in cash, weapons, and over a tonne of illicit drugs linked to Haouchar.
The trend of crime figures seeking refuge in Lebanon to evade Australian law enforcement is becoming increasingly evident. Various members associated with Sydney’s Hamzy and Alameddine crime families have also relocated to Lebanon. Among these individuals is Rafat Alameddine, who has been implicated in a conspiracy to murder members of a rival gang. Evidently, dual citizenship offers a loophole that some criminals are exploiting to evade extradition.
Haouchar and Baghdadi’s sentencing follows a similar recent operation that led to the arrest of wanted drug importer Hakan Ayik in Turkey. This pattern indicates that Australian authorities are intensifying their international efforts to tackle organized crime, reminding those who attempt to escape their legal ramifications that there is no true refuge.
In summary, the recent sentencing of Bilal Haouchar and Abdul Baghdadi highlights the ongoing struggle that Australian law enforcement faces against international drug syndicates. With statements from Acting Assistant Commissioner Jason Weinstein emphasizing relentless efforts to bring criminals to justice, it is clear that fleeing abroad offers no guarantee of safety. As more criminal figures head to Lebanon and similar territories in search of refuge, New South Wales Police are demonstrating their commitment to tackling organized crime on an international scale.
Original Source: www.abc.net.au
