Exclusive behind the scenes vision of officers from Operation Skyborne executing warrants on Middle Eastern organised crime gangs. Courtesy Victoria Police
FOUR members of the Haddara family have been arrested with police claiming to have smashed one of Melbourne’s biggest crime syndicates
In court yesterday police described Fadi Haddara as the ringleader of the family run crime gang saying he was the main target of the covert operation Skyborne.
Other members of the family believed to be senior figures in the syndicate were arrested alongside Haddara. Sources say they include two of his cousins and his sister.
Haddara, 36, faced Melbourne Magistrates Court late yesterday after being charged with 17 drugs, weapons and violence offences.
He was arrested following raids on 45 properties in 23 suburbs in Melbourne’s west including Altona North, Williamstown North, Truganina, Sunshine, Keilor Downs and Broadmeadows.
Dozens of people have been arrested and guns, drugs and cash have been seized in a series of raids across Melbourne by the The Santiago Taskforce. Courtesy Channel Ten
A 700-strong force was involved in the operation after Taskforce Santiago’s investigations into the alleged involvement of the well-known family-based syndicate since late last year.
Haddara was one of seven people brought through court, including his cousin Ziad, after police made 27 arrests following the raids.
He was arrested with two other men during a raid at Melbourne A Class Smash Repairs on Orange Ave in Williamstown North.
All were remanded in custody and are expected to make applications for bail in coming days.
Police raids at Orange St, in Williamstown. Photo: Ellen Smith
Police raid a home at Altona North as part of raids targeting an alleged organised crime syndicates. Picture: Nicole Garmston Source: News Corp Australia
During a bail application for one co-accused, Aysun Hanay, police said Haddara was the main target of their operation.
The court heard a large volume of telephone intercepts and covert audio and visual surveillance would make up a large part of the police case against him.
Sources told the Herald Sun some of the accused were caught selling drugs and weapons to undercover operatives.
Ballarat Constable Jeremy Stevens with a tobacco crop seized as part of the raids.
During the raids police seized drugs including 100kg dried cannabis, more than 12 firearms including a handgun with a silencer and a high-powered assault rifle, $55,000 cash, ammunition, vehicles and stolen property.
A clandestine laboratory was found at a home in Hampshire St, Sunshine while a crop of 35,000 tobacco plants was uncovered at a Moorabool property on the Geelong-Ballan Rd near Geelong.
Haddara, dressed in a black jumper and track suit pants, appeared in court only briefly for a short filing hearing.
His lawyer, Zarah Garde Wilson, told the court her client did not wish to make an application for bail at this stage.
A Australian Tax Office (ATO) agent involved in the raids.
Police have been given until June 10 to prepare a brief of evidence against Haddara before his next scheduled court date in July.
Six other co-accused were remanded to the same date.
Assistant Commissioner Stephen Fontana said while the gang had Middle Eastern connections, it primarily focused its criminal activities in the Melbourne area.
He claimed the syndicate also had links to the theft and trade of stolen vehicles. Mr Fontana praised the efforts and results of the members involved.
A woman is taken by police after a raid at a property in Altona North. Picture: Nicole Garmston
“A number of individuals there we considered to be extremely dangerous.
“We had the Special Operations Group conduct three of those arrests for us.
“Were very happy that none of our members were injured in the course of this operation.
“We went in with enough information to charge 19 individuals. It’s been a real bonus in terms of what we found at these particular addresses, so there will be additional charges and additional people charged.”
A late model BMW is taken from a house in Altona North. Picture. Nicole Garmston
He said some of those arrested were found in possession of drugs, including methamphetamine.
But of more concern were the high-powered weapons seized, he said.
“This syndicate is alleged over a number of years to be heavily involved in firearms trafficking,’’ he said.
He warned Melbourne’s crime gangs that they would be caught:
Police guarding a house in Altona North. Picture: Nicole Garmston
“We’re not going to stop our investigations. If they want to get involved in criminal activity, and some of this is quite violent activity, we’re going to target them.’’
Loussi Briten, who told the Herald Sun she used to use the surname Haddara, said her husband Antonio and his brother Rabieh Haddara were arrested in the raids.
She said the trio were due to leave for Lebanon on Monday.
“My husband is good, we’re quiet,’’ she said.
Police speak to men near the raided home at Altona North. Picture: Nicole Garmston
“I don’t know why (this happened).’’
She said officers searched her and took her car, phone and iPad in the raid.
Police raid Melbourne A Class Smash Repairs in Williamstown.
Police towed away a motorbike, quad bike and Mercedes Benz from Williamstown.
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