AUTHORITIES have seized about 60 kilograms of cocaine from a Sydney freight depot and have arrested a logistics worker for allegedly monitoring drug imports.
The man was one of eight people arrested during a joint-agency police investigation that uncovered more than 300 kilograms of imported cocaine and methylamphetamine.
Detectives from the NSW Police Force’s State Crime Command, the Australian Federal Police, and Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission commenced an investigation in 2021 to disrupt organised crime in the state.
Investigators identified several transnational organised criminal networks working together to import drugs into New South Wales.
Detectives working on the operation, with assistance from Australian Border Force Officers and international law enforcement partners, found the 60 kilograms of cocaine concealed inside pieces of machinery at the Sydney freight depot.
The AFP said the cocaine is believed to have been sourced from Germany.
The agencies also intercepted around 220 kilograms of methylamphetamine in Los Angeles, bound for Australia, and $960,000 in cash.
On Wednesday this week (23 November), strike-force investigators executed 16 search warrants at Picton, Earlwood, Hoxton Park, Belfield, Cabarita, Rockdale, Penhurst, Guildford, Greenacre, Smithfield, Fairfield, Liverpool and Wetherill Park.
Police seized more than $1.2 million cash, a rifle, ammunition, gold bullion, cigarettes, cocaine, MDMA, cannabis, steroids, electronic devices, cryptocurrency wallets and documents.
Five men, including the freight worker, were arrested during the warrant operation and another two men were arrested during a vehicle stop on the Hume Highway during a controlled delivery.
Authorities seized a further $1.4 million as part of the controlled delivery operation.
US Homeland Security investigations officers executed a simultaneous search warrant in Los Angeles, arresting one man.
They seized 98 kilograms of methylamphetamine, 55 kilograms of crystal MDMA, 18 kilograms of cocaine and around US$15,000.
International Forwarders and Customs Brokers Association of Australia CEO Paul Damkjaer told DCN criminal syndicates are becoming smarter and are finding more creative ways to import drugs into Australia.
He said companies along the supply chain need to be aware of how an employee can use their position and access to systems to monitor and facilitate illegal imports.
“It could happen to anyone,” Mr Damkjaer said.
“All international freight forwarders and customs brokers need to have due diligence as they employ workers,” he said, noting that most companies already do.
He highlighted the importance of meeting fit-and-proper-person requirements while recruiting employees and the value of working with border enforcement to safeguard supply chains.
NSW Police Force Organised Crime Squad Commander Detective Superintendent Peter Faux said co-offending across criminal syndicates was becoming more prevalent within NSW and in jurisdictions across the country.
“Organised criminal networks are usually notoriously competitive for control in the illicit drug trade; however, what we have seen through this operation and other intelligence, is that some members of OCNs are working collaboratively to bring drugs into our country,” Det Supt Faux said.
“While the different methods of concealment aren’t new, it’s the level of involvement from various criminal syndicates to bring in shipments which is of note.
“Police will allege in court, the 33-year-old Earlwood man used his employment at a logistics company to monitor consignments arriving into Sydney.
“We will continue to work collaboratively with our federal and international counterparts to identify these supply chains and disrupt their business model.”
