A FREIGHT forwarder from Sydney has been arrested and charged over his alleged role in a plan to import 100 kilograms of meth into Australia.
Police will allege the man, arrested on Wednesday last week, used his position at a freight forwarding company to facilitate the importation from Canada.
The Canadian Border Service Authority allegedly found the drug shipment inside a commercial dough mixer in 2021.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police seized the shipment and replaced the illicit drugs with a harmless substance before forwarding the consignment to New South Wales.
AFP officers organised for the consignment to be delivered as planned to a property in Wentworthville, Sydney, in October last year.
The 39-year-old freight forwarding worker is the third Sydney man to be charged in a joint Australian Federal Police and Australian Border Force investigation into a transnational drug trafficking syndicate.
Operation Dagger was launched by Taskforce Vanguard, comprising the AFP and ABF, at the time the methamphetamine shipment was seized.
The investigation also resulted in the arrest of a 37-year-old Punchbowl man who Police will allege organised the importation.
He was charged with attempting to import and possess a commercial quantity of methamphetamine and is due in Sydney Central Local Court on 13 April.
One tonne of methylamine, a substance used to manufacture methamphetamine and MDMA, was also seized in the investigation.
A 28-year-old Liverpool man was arrested and charged with providing material assistance to a criminal group. He is due to face Campbelltown Local Court on 20 April.
The freight forwarding worker was then arrested in Beercroft on 30 March following further investigations. He is next due to face Hornsby Local Court on 13 April.
ABF inspector investigations Tony Wheatley said detecting and disrupting criminal activity within the supply chain is a key operational priority for the ABF.
“The ABF is committed to working with our partner agencies both in Australia and internationally to stop criminal groups who attempt to use positions of trust to circumvent border controls,” he said.
“These arrests should serve as a warning to anyone working in the supply chain who thinks they can use their position to benefit criminal enterprise – the ABF and our partner agencies are watching and you will be caught.”
AFP detective superintendent Andrew Bailey said the outcome of the investigation demonstrates the effectiveness of having AFP officers posted overseas.
“A significant component of Australia’s organised crime threats are based offshore or have substantial offshore links,” Mr Bailey said.
“The AFP’s international network will continue to lead the work Australian law enforcement conducts offshore, impacting the global criminal environment and safeguarding our community.”
AFP detective acting sergeant Nicole Whelan said the investigation should send a clear and lasting message to criminals illegally importing drugs.
“Community safety is a priority for the AFP and this operation has successfully prevented a significant quantity of hazardous drugs reaching our streets.”
