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John Ibrahim’s girlfriend Sarah Budge, son Daniel Taylor granted bail after Sydney raids

The Sdyney jury deciding whether John Ibrahim's girlfriend knew a gun was hidden in her bedroom has been asked to think about where they would hide a weapon.

The Sdyney jury deciding whether John Ibrahim's girlfriend knew a gun was hidden in her bedroom has been asked to think about where they would hide a weapon. Photo: Instagram

Kings Cross identity John Ibrahim’s son and girlfriend have both been granted bail after facing court following police raids in Sydney connected with an alleged international crime syndicate.

Sarah Budge, 27, faced Central Local Court this morning after being charged over the possession of a pistol while Daniel Taylor, 26, was charged with intending to use more than $2.25 million to import tobacco.

Eight other men, including Mr Ibrahim’s cousin Sleiman Simon Tajjour, will also face court charged with various offences following a year-long cross-border operation targeting organised crime groups attempting to import large quantities of drugs and tobacco.

Budge, a model and nightclub hostess, has not been charged with any drug-related offences and is not alleged to be involved in the syndicate.

Police allege they discovered a loaded Glock pistol in her Double Bay home during widespread raids on Tuesday.

She was charged with possessing an unauthorised firearm, possessing ammunition without a licence and possessing a defaced firearm.

The Commonwealth DPP did not oppose bail and it was granted on the condition she reside at a residence in Double Bay, surrender her passport, report to police three times a week and lodge security of $50,000.

Mr Ibrahim, the notorious Kings Cross identity, was not charged with any offences, although his Dover Heights home was searched.

John Ibrahim

Police are searching the home of Kings Cross figure John Ibrahim. Photo: AAP

Taylor, a former Army private, is also known as Daniel Ibrahim.

The court was told he is accused of transferring $2.25 million to facilitate the importation of large quantities of tobacco.

He was granted bail to live with his mother in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. He was also ordered to provide $630,000 in security by way of property and cash.

Magistrate Clare Farnan said the bail conditions had to be stringent to mitigate the risk of Taylor failing to appear in court due to his “apparent access to large sums of money”.

Ms Farnan said while the offence was “extremely serious” he had a limited criminal history and “his role in it is in the limited range”.

Mr Ibrahim’s brothers Fadi and Michael Ibrahim were arrested in the United Arab Emirates by the Dubai police anti-narcotics department in a simultaneous operation.

The Australian Federal Police said 1.8 tonnes of MDMA, 136 kilograms of cocaine and 15 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine were seized by authorities in the Netherlands before it could reach Australia. The drugs have an estimated street value of up to $810 million.

It will be alleged in court that the syndicate worked closely to arrange, purchase and facilitate the importation of the drugs across a number of cargo container shipments between November 2016 and August 2017.

– ABC

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