Ibrahim brothers facing drug-smuggling conspiracy charges after extradition

Australian Federal police officers arrest a man after being extradited from Dubai. Fadi and Michael Ibrahim did not appear at Central Local Court today. Photo / AAP

Michael Ibrahim, the youngest brother of Kings Cross identity John Ibrahim, will face a Sydney court in November with other co-accused over their alleged involvement in an international drug-smuggling conspiracy.

He and older brother Fadi Ibrahim, 43, were arrested in Dubai about six weeks ago and arrived in Sydney, Australia, on Sunday night after being extradited.

Also returning to Sydney under police escort were Mustapha Dib, 34, and Koder Jomaa, 47, arrested alongside the brothers on August 8 during a series of raids in Sydney and Dubai that resulted in 18 people being charged.

The Ibrahims and Dib were netted as part of Operation Veyda, while Jomaa, a resident of the United Arab Emirates, was arrested as part of Operation Astatine.

Michael Ibrahim, 39, and Dib are charged with conspiring to import a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, and attempting to import a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug.

If convicted they could face life imprisonment.

The pair did not appear at Central Local Court today where their lawyers did not apply for bail. They are due to face the same court via audiovisual link on November 1 with numerous other co-accused.

Phillip Boulten SC, who is representing the Ibrahim brothers, is expected to make a release application for Fadi Ibrahim today. Fadi Ibrahim is accused of dealing in more than A$1 million of proceeds of crime, which carries a maximum penalty of 25 years in jail if convicted.

He's also been charged with intending to use more than A$100,000 as an instrument of crime.

Jomaa, who is charged with conspiracy to import and attempting to import a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, also did not appear at Central Local Court today.

His lawyer Stephen Zahr did not apply for bail, and asked for the matter to be adjourned to October 25 where he will face the same court with his co-accused including brothers Abbas Jomaa and Ali Jomaa.

Outside court, Zahr said his client will be defending the charges. "It's going to be a long process ... a long investigation and the ball has just started rolling so we'll see where it goes," he said.

He said Jomaa was "doing well" and had "no complaints" about the past six weeks spent behind bars in Dubai. "He's back in Australia and ready to deal with this matter," Zahr said.

- AAP