An Irish national, Stephen Frances Roche, has pleaded guilty in the NT Supreme Court to attempting to pervert the course of justice by helping an alleged fugitive drug trafficker flee Australia. Court documents reveal Roche assisted Hussein Chamas, who was on conditional release ahead of trial for alleged conspiracy to import a commercial quantity of methamphetamine.

The scheme involved smuggling Chamas out of the country via Nhulunbuy, a remote town in the Northern Territory. After fleeing his NSW bail accommodation in January 2025, Chamas allegedly engaged an international syndicate to evade justice in exchange for $1 million.

Roche rented a white campervan in Sydney, picked up Chamas after he escaped bail, and drove him to Arnhem Land. During the trip, Roche communicated with syndicate members under codenames "Penfold" and "endangered species," expressing frustration over mounting expenses after the van broke down.

Police apprehended Roche in Nhulunbuy on February 2, 2025, before he could receive a promised $30,000 payment. Chamas was subsequently extradited back to NSW after the escape plan was foiled.

The investigation, known as Operation HARRAKIS, targets an organised criminal group facilitating covert removal of individuals facing prosecution in Australia.

Sources