League player on drug charges
By WARREN OWENS
November 27, 2005
THREE Qantas baggage handlers, including a former first-grade rugby league player, were members of a sophisticated drug distribution network, police alleged in a Sydney court yesterday.
Former Cronulla, Souths and Parramatta player Michael Speechley and two other men had access to large amounts of narcotics and worked in secure areas at Sydney Airport, Parramatta Local Court heard.
The men also had access to baggage and were able to remove items before Customs inspections, police alleged.
A statement tendered to the court said Australian Federal Police officers believed the drug syndicate conducted transactions at the airport.
Qantas announced yesterday it had sacked the three men.
Baggage handlers Paul Richard Barnett, 23, and Khaled Allouche, 33, face charges of drug dealing. Speechley faces other charges.
Police said they seized more than $20,000 in cash and 100 ecstasy tablets in raids on the three men's homes on Friday.
Defence lawyer Bill O'Brien, for Barnett, said there was real doubt about the nature of the alleged substances. Mr O'Brien said Speechley had been charged, but not in relation to this.
Speechley was allegedly handed 100 ecstasy tablets by Barnett while sitting in his car at Sans Souci late on Thursday.
Barnett was allegedly handed drugs by Allouche during a three-minute drive outside a security car park at Sydney Airport on October 25.
Defence lawyer Stephen Hopper, for Allouche, said his client was being charged on the basis that he went for a drive.
Barnett and Allouche were allowed strict conditional bail and remanded to the Downing Centre Local Court next month.
Speechley, who was granted bail by police on Friday, was also remanded until next month.
Allouche received a dismissal notice from Qantas on Friday, but Mr Hopper said he planned to challenge the dismissal in the Industrial Relations Commission.
In a statement yesterday, Qantas said: "Qantas has dismissed three of its ramp staff at Sydney Inter- national Airport in association with a police drug investigation.
"The AFP has advised the airline there is no evidence to suggest this alleged criminal activity involves Qantas operations in any way."
The Sunday Telegraph
