Australian fugitive Bilal Haouchar jailed in Lebanon on drug charges according to NSW PoliceBy Anton RoseTopic:Drug Offences1h ago1 hours agoWed 7 May 2025 at 1:06amBilal Haouchar has been jailed in Lebanon. (Supplied: NSW Police)In short:Bilal Haouchar, 39, who police allege has maintained control of the Sydney drug trade while overseas, was jailed in Lebanon last week, according NSW Police.Abdul Baghdadi was sentenced on similar charges to seven years' jail in a Beirut court after NSW Police provided evidence to Lebanese authorities.What's next?NSW Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Jason Weinstein said detectives "would stop at nothing" to take down international drug syndicates.abc.net.au/news/nsw-australian-fugitive-bilal-haouchar-jailed-lebanon/105262734Link copiedShareShare articleAustralian fugitive Bilal Haouchar has been jailed for eight years in Lebanon as police signal a warning to other overseas crime figures: "You can run but you cannot hide."Haouchar, 39, was one of two Australians to be jailed last week over drug supply and money-laundering offences, according to NSW Police.He and Abdul Baghdadi were sentenced to eight and seven years' jail respectively in a Beirut court after NSW Police provided evidence to Lebanon's Internal Security Forces.Haouchar fled Australia in 2018 while awaiting kidnapping charges. However, police allege he has maintained control of the Sydney drug trade while overseas.Baghdadi fled the country after being shot at outside a unit in Kirribilli, but was arrested just weeks later in Lebanon over his links to Haouchar's crime empire.In a statement, NSW Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Jason Weinstein said detectives "would stop at nothing" to take down international drug syndicates."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," Assistant Commissioner Weinstein said."Last week's sentencing is a reminder that NSW Police Force, and our partner agencies, will stop at nothing to prevent, detect and reduce organised crime."We will continue to bring perpetrators to justice."The message is clear for anyone wanted in NSW; you can run but you cannot hide and that includes across international borders."Crime figures head to Lebanon to evade authoritiesDespite being overseas, police had kept a tight watch on Haouchar's associates in Sydney, arresting 40 people in a massive blitz last year that allegedly netted millions of dollars, guns and more than a tonne of drugs.Haouchar is one of several Sydney crime figures who fled to the Middle East enclave seeking safe haven from Australian law enforcement officers in recent years.Since he left the country seven years ago, several members of Sydney's Hamzy and Alameddine crime families have also moved to Lebanon.Among them is Rafat Alameddine, who is wanted over a conspiracy to kill two members of the Hamzy family.The tactic used by members of the Australian underworld has been exploited by crime figures who are seeking to use their dual citizenship to avoid being extradited.Haouchar and Baghdadi's sentencing came after police were last year similarly able to see wanted drug importer Hakan Ayik arrested in Türkiye.Posted 1h ago1 hours agoWed 7 May 2025 at 1:06am, updated 52m ago52 minutes agoWed 7 May 2025 at 1:39amShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Top StoriesPakistan's prime minister vows India's attacks will 'not go unpunished'LIVEPhoto shows A man rides his motorbike through rubble in the darkASIC takes action against Macquarie for 'significant' failuresTopic:Business and Industry RegulationPhoto shows Macquarie Group headquarters, SydneyCourt orders release of 'vicious' CCTV footage after three-year legal battleTopic:CrimePhoto shows External images of Reiby Youth Detention Centre.A feedback loop tanked Dutton's campaign in its final weekAAnalysis by Annabel CrabbPhoto shows Clive Palmer NPCNationals leader backs in nuclear as Liberal senator demands it be scrappedLIVEPhoto shows Liberal Party launch in SydneyRelated stories'Potentially biggest criminal network in Australia' dismantled by police after raids across SydneyTopic:PolicePhoto shows police use battering ram to hit gateRelated topicsCourtsCrimeDrug OffencesLebanonSydneyTop StoriesPakistan's prime minister vows India's attacks will 'not go unpunished'Topic:Unrest, Conflict and WarPhoto shows A man rides his motorbike through rubble in the darkASIC takes action against Macquarie for 'significant' failuresTopic:Business and Industry RegulationCourt orders release of 'vicious' CCTV footage after three-year legal battleTopic:CrimeA feedback loop tanked Dutton's campaign in its final weekAAnalysis by Annabel CrabbNationals leader backs in nuclear as Liberal senator demands it be scrappedTopic:ElectionsJust InFather who fatally shook baby has 10 years added to jail timeTopic:Courts18m ago18 minutes agoWed 7 May 2025 at 2:13amLiberal leadership race narrows to two likely contenders, Ley and Taylor, as MPs split over nuclearTopic:Liberal Party of Australia21m ago21 minutes agoWed 7 May 2025 at 2:09amKaren Webb to step down as NSW police commissionerBREAKING2m ago2 minutes agoWed 7 May 2025 at 2:29amBean counting continues as independent Jessie Price eyes a 'not-so-safe' Labor seatTopic:Australian Federal Elections16m ago16 minutes agoWed 7 May 2025 at 2:14amMore Just InBack to top