People smuggler Omeid pleads guilty

One of Australia's most sought-after people-smugglers, who fought his extradition from Malaysia for several years, has changed his plea to guilty.

Sayed Omeid pleaded not guilty in the West Australian District Court in September last year to three counts of organising groups of non-citizens to be brought to Australia in 2001.

But on Tuesday, he pleaded guilty to two charges through an interpreter, with a third charge discontinued by the crown.

The Iraqi man was arrested in Malaysia in 2010 and was eventually brought to Australia in November 2013.

At the time of his deportation, Operation Sovereign Borders commander Angus Campbell alleged Omeid was the principal organiser of three vessels known as Flinders, Nullawarre and Conara that collectively carried a total of 763 people from Indonesia to Australia in 2001.

Omeid is scheduled to appear at a sentencing hearing on May 15.

Each offence carries a maximum jail term of 20 years.