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.