Channel Nine has revealed the network had no idea one of The Block’s biggest stars was in the car with Mostafa Baluch when the accused drug-kingpin cut off his ankle bracelet and fled, sparking one of Australia’s biggest manhunts
Channel Nine has revealed the network had no idea one of The Block’s biggest stars was in the car with Mostafa Baluch when the accused drug-kingpin cut off his ankle bracelet and fled, sparking one of Australia’s biggest manhunts.
Omar Slaimankhel, who currently stars on the home renovation reality series was allegedly driving in a vehicle with Baluch in on the night of October 25 last year, according to .
The two men, who are both Australian-Afghani, were heading along the city’s northern beaches when the accused crime boss facing life behind bars for allegedly importing $270million cocaine, removed his tracking monitor in a desperate bid to escape overseas.
He was found by police 16 days later, hidden in the boot of a Mercedes concealed inside a shipping container being towed by a truck on the NSW-Queensland border.
Mr Slaimankhel, 30, was never charged by police over the matter, with sources claiming the former NRL player turned tradie was just a ‘mate’ of Baluch’s.
Daily Mail Australia is not suggesting Mr Slaimankhel was involved in any crime or had any idea of Baluch’s intention to flee Sydney.
The Nine Network claimed they were unaware of the bizarre circumstances before filming for The Block began.
‘All contestants undergo rigorous background checks before appearing on the show and we have no knowledge of this alleged incident,’ a Nine spokesman told Daily Mail Australia.
Former professional rugby player Omar Slaimankhel (left) and building maintenance man Ozman (Oz) Abu Malik (right) are contestants on The Block
Channel Nine has revealed the network had no idea one of The Block’s biggest stars was in the car with Mostafa Baluch (pictured) when the accused drug-kingpin cut off his ankle bracelet and fled, sparking one of Australia’s biggest manhunts
Mr Slaimankhel was a former professional NRL and rugby union player.
He was born in Pakistan, grew up in Auckland, New Zealand, and later made his move to Sydney.
He currently lives with his wife Maz and their two sons who are aged four and one.
After notching up five first grade games for the New Zealand Warriors in 2012, he later moved to Japan to play rugby union for the Canon Eagles.
Upon returning to Australia in 2015, the Sydney Roosters signed him up to play for one of their feeder clubs in the NSW cup – the Wyong Roos.
The former footballer turned to work in the construction industry before appearing on The Block this year.
Channel Nine revealed that Mr Slaimankhel would be a contestant on the show in late July when it released the full line-up for the competition.
He was partnered with best friend and fellow Muslim Ozman ‘Oz’ Abu Malik, who is of Lebanese descent.
Both men had limited experience in building and design but were quick to impress the judges.
Mr Slaimankhel was a professional NRL player who played five first grade games for the New Zealand Warriors in 2012.He later played Rugby Union in Japan before returning to Australia in 2015
Channel Nine revealed that Mr Slaimankhel (left) would be a contestant on the series in late July when it released the full line-up for the competition. He was partnered Ozman ‘Oz’ Abu Malik (right)
The pair won main bathroom week during the much-anticipated room reveals on last Sunday’s episode.
They spent the least amount on their renovation at just $20,749, but took first place on the leaderboard with a total score of 26 out of 30.
Judge Shaynna Blaze said of the boys’ flawless renovation: ‘I can’t believe this is Omar and Oz.Traditional and contemporary.’
‘It’s beautiful. It works. It feels contemporary and country,’ added judge Neale Whitaker.
They won the $250,000 upgrade for kitchen week as well as a $10,000 cash prize.
During the first few weeks on the show, the two friends were observing Ramadan and were filmed praying on the series.
Both men were not able to consume any food or drink after sunrise and could only break their fast at sunset under the rules of Ramadan.
Omar Slaimankhel and Ozman (Oz) Abu Malik (pictured) were quick to impress the judges on the home renovation series, taking out bathroom week on last Sunday night’s reveal
The pair spent the least amount on the renovation at just $20,749, 홈카지노 but took home the prize
Baluch was allegedly planning to escape Australia by setting sail from Far North Queensland to southeast Asia, before stepping on a jet to eastern Europe, police allege.
Police officers allegedly found Mr Baluch hidden in the boot of a Mercedes concealed inside a shipping container being towed by a truck early in November.
Dramatic bodycam footage showed the moment officers approached the container on the Gold Coast Highway at Bilinga, at the New South Wales border.
He accidentally gave himself away when an officer knocked on the side of the freight and he tapped back.
In video from his arrest, officers from Queensland’s Crime and Intelligence Command shouted ‘armed police!Armed police!’ as they open the door to the container.
Baluch – dubbed ‘Australia’s Pablo Escobar’ – was captured by police after he was found inside a shipping container inside a truck on the NSW-Queensland border (pictured at Bankstown Airport after extradition)
<div class="art-ins mol-factbox news floatRHS" data-version="2" id="mol-e46c7f60-2141-11ed-9ff9-359aee80db52" website Block star caught up in major scandal