POLICE have charged a Malaysian man over a plot to import more than half a tonne of drugs through the port of Melbourne last year.
The man, 35, was arrested in Coffs Harbour on Monday (10 February). He was charged over his alleged involvement in the importation of 421 kilograms of MDMA, 120 kilograms of pink cocaine and 80 kilograms of methamphetamine.
The drugs were found in a containerised shipment of galvanised hooks sent from Italy. The Australian Federal Police and Australian Border Force launched an investigation in July 2024.
The man is the sixth person charged after being linked to a syndicate believed to be responsible for the importation attempt. Three men were charged in January this year and two other men were charged for allegedly possessing precursor chemicals.
The Malaysian man charged this week was charged with two counts of attempting to possess a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, and two counts of importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug.
He was expected to appear before the Coffs Harbour Local Court today (11 February).
The maximum penalty for the offences is life imprisonment.
