“A good way to move money...”

Ahmed Brahim came into contact with a number of leading members of the Majorcan yachting industry over the years. One source told the Bulletin yesterday that he remembers going round to Brahim's Palma flat to talk business some ten years ago, “he did not have a beard then and he said he was Egyptian, but he wanted some advice on importing yachts from the United States - in hindsight it would have been a good way for him to have moved cash about, buying yachts in the States, shipping them to Majorca and then selling them,” the source said. “But I met him the once and never heard from him again.” However, it appears that Brahim, decided against setting up a yacht dealership and opted for a sports fishing charter company. Everybody said yesterday that Nora Yachting “rang a bell” and Brahim's arrest was topic of conversation in some of the yacht clubs in and around Palma yesterday. Neighbours at the block of flats said yesterday that some knew he was being investigated. “He was an engineer, but never appeared to have a regular job,” one said. Brahim had little connection with other residents in the block but was always up to date on paying his community rates and there were never any problems. The 700 square metre flat he owned, boasted a 350 square metre terrace and a swimming pool “today it would be worth 100 million pesetas at least,” one neighbour said, adding that the flat was sold in a hurry.