THE AUSTRALIAN Federal Police has charged two Sydney men over a conspiracy to smuggle cocaine into Australia via containerships.
The men, aged 43 and 47, had allegedly planned to transport the drugs by attaching them to the hulls of the ships. They were charged following an Operation Ironside investigation, led by the AFP.
They two men and another Sydney man, also aged 47, were allegedly part of a transnational crime syndicate which had twice attempted to import cocaine into New South Wales hidden in tyres attached to the outside of cargo vessels by chains.
AFP officers allege Australian and offshore members of the group used encrypted communications to organise the drug shipments, with the first attempted importation of about 30 kilograms of cocaine occurring in October 2019.
One of the men, an experienced diver, allegedly tried to retrieve a tyre from a cargo ship docked at Port Botany but dropped it on the ocean floor.
NSW Police divers later found an empty tyre close to where the ship had been berthed. Authorities believe the cocaine was dislodged during the vessel’s voyage to Australia.
Police will allege there were arguments between Australian and offshore members of the syndicate about whether or not the drugs made it to NSW and who might be left with a multimillion-dollar debt over the failed importation.
In February 2020 the group allegedly attempted a second importation containing a further 30 kilograms of cocaine using the same tactics.
According to the AFP, the group was unaware NSW Police divers had been instructed to recover a tyre attached by chain to the hull of a containership upon its arrival at Port Botany.
Police will allege the second importation of drugs also dislodged at sea before the vessel reached Sydney.
Following ongoing investigations, AFP officers charged the three men in April over their alleged roles in the conspiracy.
The group is understood to have appeared in Sydney Central Local Court on Wednesday this week.
AFP detective superintendent Matthew Ciantar said transnational organised crime groups target Australia because it is one of the most profitable countries in the world to sell drugs.
“The transnational serious organised criminals who prey on our communities to make a profit undermine our national security and economy,” he said.
“Had these drugs reached Australian streets, this amount could have been sold to 300,000 individuals and put up to $45 million into the pockets of dangerous criminals.
“This outcome should serve as a clear message – no matter how you try to import and hide drugs, and regardless of how successful your plans are, we will find you and you will face the full force of the law.”
NSW Police state crime command director, detective chief superintendent Darren Bennett, said the seizure of the drugs had placed pressure on members of the syndicate and their operations, which “ultimately led to their demise”.
“NSW Police will always work with our partners to doggedly pursue anyone involved in drug importations and other serious organised crime that poses a real risk to public safety,” he said.
The three men have each been charged with conspiracy to import a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs. The maximum penalty for the offence is life imprisonment.
The third man is expected to face court on 1 June.
