Twist for alleged crime boss murderers
Two men charged over the assassination of prominent gangland figure Mahmoud ‘Brownie’ Ahmad had been running a multimillion dollar drug ring when they were arrested, police claim.
Robert and Simon Abousleiman, both 33 years old, were arrested on Monday after police raided four properties in south west Sydney in relation to the fatal shooting last year.
Mr Ahmad, 39, was gunned down when he left a friend’s house in Greenacre at 9.30pm on April 27, 2022.
Chilling video footage released by police shows the former crime boss standing on a quiet street as a Porsche slowly rolls past.
Rapid bursts of light can be seen in the CCTV as a gunman unleashes a hail of bullets on Mr Ahmad before fleeing the scene.
The underworld figure suffered multiple gunshot wounds and died at the scene.
On Tuesday, Robert and Simon Abousleiman were represented by a lawyer in Bankstown Local Court after being charged over their alleged involvement in his murder.
Police claim both men approached a man known to police to solicit him to murder another man.
Robert also allegedly harboured and helped Mr Ahmad’s assassin for an hour after the murder had been committed, according to police.
At the time they were arrested over their alleged roles in the murder, police allege the Abousleimans were running a Sydney-wide drug operation worth millions of dollars.
The court documents reveal the alleged drug kingpins are charged with supplying more than 12.8 kg of methamphetamine and more than 7.6 kg of cocaine since the beginning of 2020.
Police estimate the would be worth more than $3m if sold on the street.
Simon and Robert Abousleiman were charged with directing the activities of a criminal group and dealing with proceeds of a crime worth more than $400,000.
Police allege the pair knew the money had been made illegally and intended to conceal that information.
Robert has been charged with 16 offences including being an accessory to murder after the fact, soliciting a murder, and knowingly directing the activities of a criminal group.
Simon is facing 15 charges including soliciting a murder, knowingly directing the activities of a criminal group, and supplying drugs on an ongoing basis.
The relatives did not appear in court or apply for bail during the brief mention of their matter in court.
Magistrate Shane McAnulty adjourned the matter until May 17 so they could be “joined with a co-accused” who is already before the courts.
Simon and Robert Abousleiman are the fifth and sixth people charged over the shooting murder of Mr Ahmad.
Four men – aged 26, 29, 37 and 49 – have previously been charged by police in relation to the deadly drive by. They remain before the courts.
The former crime boss had been warned by police that his life was in danger after he was released from prison on parole following a manslaughter conviction.
Police are expecting to make further arrests in relation to his murder more than a year ago.
