The AFP is appealing for public assistance to locate a man charged with alleged drug-related offences as part of Operation Ironside.
An arrest warrant was issued for Hussein Chamas after he failed to appear in Downing Centre Local Court yesterday (20 January 2025).
The AFP identified Mr Chamas, 35, as part of Operation Ironside, and he is alleged to be a member of a syndicate which used the ANOM platform to import illicit drugs into Australia.
Mr Chamas was arrested in July 2023 at Sydney Airport when he triggered an alert as he tried to leave Australia.
The AFP charged Mr Chamas with one count of conspiracy to import a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to section 307.1 and section 11.5 of the Criminal Code (Cth); one count of trafficking commercial quantities of a controlled drug, contrary to section 302.2(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth); and one count of breach of a firearm prohibition order (FPO) by acquiring or possessing a firearm, contrary to section 74(1) of the Firearms Act 1996 (NSW).
Both drug offences carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, while the maximum penalty for the FPO breach is five years’ imprisonment.
The man was granted bail and required to reside at a rehabilitation facility near Newcastle.
He initially appeared in Downing Centre Local Court in May 2024, when he pleaded not guilty to breach of an FPO. In October 2024, he pleaded not guilty to the drug offences.
AFP Commander Kate Ferry urged all residents in NSW to be alert to any sightings of Mr Chamas.
“Mr Chamas left a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre in Swan Bay, NSW, on 8 January 2025 and has not returned since,” Ferry said.
Ferry added, “The community are our eyes and ears and play a crucial role in reporting crime and helping police locate and apprehend offenders.
“Our aim is to identify, locate and apprehend fugitives who are wanted for serious offences and bring them before court to face justice. Anyone with information about Hussein Chamas should contact 131 AFP or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”
