Fugitive Drug Kingpin Bilal Haouchar Sentenced to Eight Years in Lebanon
Bilal Haouchar, a 39-year-old Australian fugitive, was jailed for eight years in Lebanon on drug charges, while Abdul Baghdadi received a seven-year sentence. Haouchar has allegedly maintained control over Sydney’s drug trade from abroad since fleeing Australia in 2018. NSW Police emphasized their resolve to tackle international crime syndicates, reminding criminals that there is no escape from justice.
An Australian fugitive, Bilal Haouchar, has been sentenced to eight years in prison in Lebanon on drug-related charges, as confirmed by New South Wales Police. At 39 years of age, Haouchar is accused of running significant operations within the Sydney drug trade while living overseas. His sentencing incidentally coincides with another criminal, Abdul Baghdadi, who was handed a seven-year term on similar charges. This development underscores police efforts to tackle international drug syndicates, despite challenges presented by jurisdictional boundaries.
Haouchar’s legal troubles trace back to his departure from Australia in 2018, where he was facing kidnapping allegations. Despite his flight, investigators assert that he continued to operate his drug trafficking business from abroad. Meanwhile, his counterpart Baghdadi had made a similarly dramatic escape from Australia after surviving an assassination attempt near his residence in Kirribilli but was apprehended in Lebanon shortly thereafter. This arrest highlights the transnational nature of organized crime and the persistent pursuit of those involved.
In a statement regarding these developments, NSW Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Jason Weinstein conveyed a resolute message: detectives are unwavering in their pursuit of criminals, no matter where they may attempt to flee. “This investigation sends an unequivocal message to anyone who thinks they can profit by bringing their illegal activities to the shores of our country,” Weinstein declared. He stressed that law enforcement would not relent in their mission to interrupt and dismantle such criminal enterprises.
Despite their overseas status, federal police reportedly kept a close watch on Haouchar’s network in Sydney, which led to the arrest of approximately 40 associates during a sweeping operation last year. This sting operation is believed to have resulted in the seizure of millions in assets, firearms, and over a tonne of illicit drugs. Haouchar’s flight to Lebanon is not an isolated instance; a number of Sydney crime figures have sought refuge in the Middle Eastern nation in recent years, highlighting a concerning trend.
Notably, several members of the notorious Hamzy and Alameddine crime families have taken similar routes in hopes of evading Australian law enforcement. Figures like Rafat Alameddine, who is implicated in a conspiracy to kill two rival gang members, exemplify this risky tactic taken by criminals attempting to escape the long arm of the law. Dual citizenship, which many of these individuals possess, is regularly exploited to bypass extradition, further complicating the pursuit of justice.
Interestingly, just like the recent cases involving Haouchar and Baghdadi, law enforcement has also successfully facilitated the apprehension of wanted international drug importer Hakan Ayik in Türkiye last year. This indicates an ongoing commitment by police to target crime that extends beyond Australia’s borders and reinforces their intention of bringing criminals to justice, regardless of their location.
The sentencing of Bilal Haouchar and Abdul Baghdadi in Lebanon serves as a stark reminder of the international reach of law enforcement agencies in combating drug-related crime. This effort illustrates NSW Police’s commitment to dismantling crime syndicates, irrespective of where they attempt to operate. The enforcement actions taken against these fugitives reinforce the message that criminals cannot evade justice by crossing borders.
Original Source: www.abc.net.au
