3 Qantas baggage handlers arrested for dealing drugs
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3 Qantas baggage handlers arrested for dealing drugs
THREE Qantas workers, alleged to be part of a sophisticated drug syndicate and with access to secure areas of Sydney Airport, have been granted bail.
Paul Richard Barnett, 23, and Khaled Allouche, 33, were arrested last night following a month long investigation by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) Joint Airport Investigation team.
Both faced Parramatta Bail Court today, a day after a related court appearance by 41-year-old co-accused Michael Speechley, a fellow Qantas employee.
The three have been accused in court of being members of a sophisticated drug distribution syndicate, with access to secure areas of Sydney Airport, including items that had not been cleared by Customs.
The AFP has alleged the three would have been able to remove items from the airport before inspection.
It is also alleged that they conducted drug exchanges within secure areas of the airport, as well as throughout the Sydney metropolitan area.
Mr Barnett, a Qantas baggage handler at Sydney's Kingsford Smith Airport, and who lives in suburban Bexley, is charged with two counts of supplying prohibited drugs.
Mr Allouche, who worked for Qantas as a ramp loader for 12 years, and who is believed to live at nearby Canterbury, has been charged with three counts of supplying prohibited drugs. The father of three was sacked last night after his arrest.
Mr Speechley, who works as a baggage handler at the international terminal, has been charged with supplying drugs. In his court appearance yesterday, he was granted bail to appear at the Downing Centre Court on December 16.
In a statement of facts tendered to the Parramatta court today, the AFP alleged Mr Barnett arranged to supply Mr Speechley with what was believed to be about 100 ecstasy tablets. The tablets are in the process of being analysed.
It is also alleged Mr Allouche supplied narcotics to Mr Barnett and Mr Speechley.
Mr Allouche agreed to supply about $300 of amphetamines to Mr Speechley on a day Mr Speechley was working, the AFP alleged.
Mr Speechley is also accused of receiving narcotics from Mr Barnett and paying cash to Mr Allouche for them.
The court was told that, during searches linked to the three arrests, AFP officers uncovered more than 100 tablets, drug paraphernalia and approximately $20,000 from a house.
Bail Court registrar Rosemary Davidson granted Mr Barnett bail on the condition he report to police several times a week and surrender his passport.
The matter was adjourned to the Downing Centre Court on December 15.
Mr Allouche was also granted bail, on similar conditions to Mr Barnett. His matter was adjourned to Downing Centre on December 22.
Mr Allouche's lawyer, Stephen Hopper, told the court his client, of Lebanese background, had been caught up in the investigation because of his race.
"He's somewhere further down the chain," Mr Hopper told the court.
"My client believes it's (been brought about) on the basis of his race."
Mr Hopper said he would be challenging Mr Allouche's dismissal in the Industrial Relations Court (IRC).
Outside court, Mr Hopper told reporters the AFP had "jumped the gun a little bit".
He said the arrests were a "knee-jerk reaction" by Qantas in relation to public concerns about airport security.
"They could put someone on suspension until the matter's been determined properly," he said.
Paul Richard Barnett, 23, and Khaled Allouche, 33, were arrested last night following a month long investigation by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) Joint Airport Investigation team.
Both faced Parramatta Bail Court today, a day after a related court appearance by 41-year-old co-accused Michael Speechley, a fellow Qantas employee.
The three have been accused in court of being members of a sophisticated drug distribution syndicate, with access to secure areas of Sydney Airport, including items that had not been cleared by Customs.
The AFP has alleged the three would have been able to remove items from the airport before inspection.
It is also alleged that they conducted drug exchanges within secure areas of the airport, as well as throughout the Sydney metropolitan area.
Mr Barnett, a Qantas baggage handler at Sydney's Kingsford Smith Airport, and who lives in suburban Bexley, is charged with two counts of supplying prohibited drugs.
Mr Allouche, who worked for Qantas as a ramp loader for 12 years, and who is believed to live at nearby Canterbury, has been charged with three counts of supplying prohibited drugs. The father of three was sacked last night after his arrest.
Mr Speechley, who works as a baggage handler at the international terminal, has been charged with supplying drugs. In his court appearance yesterday, he was granted bail to appear at the Downing Centre Court on December 16.
In a statement of facts tendered to the Parramatta court today, the AFP alleged Mr Barnett arranged to supply Mr Speechley with what was believed to be about 100 ecstasy tablets. The tablets are in the process of being analysed.
It is also alleged Mr Allouche supplied narcotics to Mr Barnett and Mr Speechley.
Mr Allouche agreed to supply about $300 of amphetamines to Mr Speechley on a day Mr Speechley was working, the AFP alleged.
Mr Speechley is also accused of receiving narcotics from Mr Barnett and paying cash to Mr Allouche for them.
The court was told that, during searches linked to the three arrests, AFP officers uncovered more than 100 tablets, drug paraphernalia and approximately $20,000 from a house.
Bail Court registrar Rosemary Davidson granted Mr Barnett bail on the condition he report to police several times a week and surrender his passport.
The matter was adjourned to the Downing Centre Court on December 15.
Mr Allouche was also granted bail, on similar conditions to Mr Barnett. His matter was adjourned to Downing Centre on December 22.
Mr Allouche's lawyer, Stephen Hopper, told the court his client, of Lebanese background, had been caught up in the investigation because of his race.
"He's somewhere further down the chain," Mr Hopper told the court.
"My client believes it's (been brought about) on the basis of his race."
Mr Hopper said he would be challenging Mr Allouche's dismissal in the Industrial Relations Court (IRC).
Outside court, Mr Hopper told reporters the AFP had "jumped the gun a little bit".
He said the arrests were a "knee-jerk reaction" by Qantas in relation to public concerns about airport security.
"They could put someone on suspension until the matter's been determined properly," he said.
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Oh dear.
Mr Hopper grandstanding as per usual and jumping to the rescue claiming racially motivated issues.
First it was Mr Hopper with another lawyer coming to the defence of that former disgraced Lebanese baggage handler Bilal Kazal who was charged with supporting terrorist activities in Lebanon.
Secondly it was the "socially discriminated against" Lebanese pack-rapists all doing multiple life sentences in the Goulburn maximum security gaol.
Then came Mamdouh Habib who managed to finance numerous trips to Pakistan/Afganistan (whilst being paid a disability pension for the last 10 years at tax payers expense).
Mr Habib I believe ended up sacking Mr Hopper in the end.
Now Mr Hopper is claiming this baggage handler was charged because of his Lebanese heritage........gimme a friggin break!!
Sure, everyone is innocent until proven guilty but Jesus H !!!
Mr Hopper sure does pick his clients well - especially where the media scrum is concerned.
I dont think Mr Hopper has any grounds for appeal unless his client is cleared of all charges.
By the way....how do these guys manage to get ASIC cards and pass the so called security checks???
Mr Hopper grandstanding as per usual and jumping to the rescue claiming racially motivated issues.
First it was Mr Hopper with another lawyer coming to the defence of that former disgraced Lebanese baggage handler Bilal Kazal who was charged with supporting terrorist activities in Lebanon.
Secondly it was the "socially discriminated against" Lebanese pack-rapists all doing multiple life sentences in the Goulburn maximum security gaol.
Then came Mamdouh Habib who managed to finance numerous trips to Pakistan/Afganistan (whilst being paid a disability pension for the last 10 years at tax payers expense).
Mr Habib I believe ended up sacking Mr Hopper in the end.
Now Mr Hopper is claiming this baggage handler was charged because of his Lebanese heritage........gimme a friggin break!!
Sure, everyone is innocent until proven guilty but Jesus H !!!
Mr Hopper sure does pick his clients well - especially where the media scrum is concerned.
I dont think Mr Hopper has any grounds for appeal unless his client is cleared of all charges.
By the way....how do these guys manage to get ASIC cards and pass the so called security checks???
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Unfortunately it's the age old saying....
"Pay peanuts and you get monkeys"......
You pay for what you get and from all accounts a lot of the staff who work airside are paid crap and therefore the quality can suffer.
Numerous staff who work airside at Auckland International have criminal convictions. If they were as strict as they say publicly the airports would have no staff prepared to work for the money they offer.
If only the public knew........
"Pay peanuts and you get monkeys"......
You pay for what you get and from all accounts a lot of the staff who work airside are paid crap and therefore the quality can suffer.
Numerous staff who work airside at Auckland International have criminal convictions. If they were as strict as they say publicly the airports would have no staff prepared to work for the money they offer.
If only the public knew........
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Gee
I thought whiteknucleairlines was talking about the Learned Mr Hopper..."pay peanuts, you get monkey's" ( I could have agreed with that but I guess in Mr Hopers case, you would probably pay a lot of money, but unfortunatly still get a monkey).
However, I see WKAL was talking about airside staff such as baggage handlers and the like.
Hmmmm, the baggage handlers I know take home a lot more cash than the majority of the G.A. Pilots.
Therefore, whiteknuckleairlines, what is your name for the GA Pilot.
I thought whiteknucleairlines was talking about the Learned Mr Hopper..."pay peanuts, you get monkey's" ( I could have agreed with that but I guess in Mr Hopers case, you would probably pay a lot of money, but unfortunatly still get a monkey).
However, I see WKAL was talking about airside staff such as baggage handlers and the like.
Hmmmm, the baggage handlers I know take home a lot more cash than the majority of the G.A. Pilots.
Therefore, whiteknuckleairlines, what is your name for the GA Pilot.
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OK then WhiteknuckleAirlines.
Are you prepared to go to the media with this accusation about Auckland Airport airside staff having criminal convictions?
Pretty serious accusation but I dont doubt it.
As far as baggage handlers are concerned whiteknuckle, I know a few that earn bloody good money with overtime and actually can make more dosh than a SF340 or Dash 8 Captain.
They definitely dont get paid peanuts but then again I think their union is sick and tired of trying to defend these jokers.
As for lawyers, Hopper and Houda seem to jump on the madia bandwagon.
Sought of sounds like Korda and Mentha a bit doesnt it?
Are you prepared to go to the media with this accusation about Auckland Airport airside staff having criminal convictions?
Pretty serious accusation but I dont doubt it.
As far as baggage handlers are concerned whiteknuckle, I know a few that earn bloody good money with overtime and actually can make more dosh than a SF340 or Dash 8 Captain.
They definitely dont get paid peanuts but then again I think their union is sick and tired of trying to defend these jokers.
As for lawyers, Hopper and Houda seem to jump on the madia bandwagon.
Sought of sounds like Korda and Mentha a bit doesnt it?
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You are right GND power...I shouldn't throw everyone into the same pot just based on income there.
Beer Can....the media have done a story on it previously but it gets forgotten very quickly. There is nothing over here in NZ which prevents someone with convictions working airside. I know for FACT that a lot of people have been given airside security cards against the recommendations of the Police.
This is where the security screening becomes a joke for the mass public. Sure, it will stop the mentally-affected and the people who have not really done their homework but it does nothing to stop the professionals (AKA terrorists).
The suggestion to screen all employees prior to (and at the conclusion of their shifts) seems so simple and logical but this is very rarely done anywhere.
Beer Can....the media have done a story on it previously but it gets forgotten very quickly. There is nothing over here in NZ which prevents someone with convictions working airside. I know for FACT that a lot of people have been given airside security cards against the recommendations of the Police.
This is where the security screening becomes a joke for the mass public. Sure, it will stop the mentally-affected and the people who have not really done their homework but it does nothing to stop the professionals (AKA terrorists).
The suggestion to screen all employees prior to (and at the conclusion of their shifts) seems so simple and logical but this is very rarely done anywhere.
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It certainly makes sense to screen ALL employees at commencement and perhaps a bag check at the end of a shift.
But who screens the screener's?
I guess at the end of the day it is very difficult to fill all the cracks, and there is simply a need to use that old fashioned term honesty and integrity.
But who screens the screener's?
I guess at the end of the day it is very difficult to fill all the cracks, and there is simply a need to use that old fashioned term honesty and integrity.
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"He's somewhere further down the chain," Mr Hopper told the court.
{Yeah, you're right, Woomera - the client's own attorney has, by default, admitted (illegal) involvement}.
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Not sure in what context "somewhere further down the chain" is used - i.e. his position as an employee in QANTAS or in the alleged 'syndicate'.
I'm sure it's the former.
I'm sure it's the former.
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Of course there a personnel airside/on board with criminal convictions.
If they are not of a serious or recent nature the law accepts this.
For my money I would rely on someone with a 20 year old spent conviction over a corporate high flyer about to get one any day.
If they are not of a serious or recent nature the law accepts this.
For my money I would rely on someone with a 20 year old spent conviction over a corporate high flyer about to get one any day.
Captain EFIS. Screening of airport staff before and after theirshift, while sound in theory is entirely impractical. Staff move around the airport constantly, often handling flights in many different locations on just one shift, GA domestic, freight, Intl and aften twice in a shift. There are two many people and two many entrance points, not to mention all the vehicles, catering trucks, tankers, sevicing equipment that comes from various parts of the airport and off airport. You would have to have literally hundreds of screening points.
In anycase, once you have been there for a while and know the system, it doesnt matter what procedures they put in place, you can allways get around it.
In anycase, once you have been there for a while and know the system, it doesnt matter what procedures they put in place, you can allways get around it.
