THE AUSTRALIAN Federal Police has charged a Sydney man over his alleged role in a plot to import methamphetamine into Australia from the United States.
The 28 year-old man from Ashcroft, a suburb in Sydney’s west, was required to appear before Downing Centre Local Court, charged for his alleged role in the attempted importation worth an estimated $29 million, according to the AFP.
The AFP said its investigation into the importation commenced in October last year after being alerted by US Homeland Security Investigations (US HSI) to a consignment destined for Australia.
The consignment was purporting to be manufacturing and repair equipment, allegedly containing 32kg of methamphetamine.
In consultation with the AFP, US HSI worked with US Customs and Border Protection Service to remove the illicit drugs, the consignment then being sent to Australia under surveillance.
The AFP says the consignment arrived at the Port of Melbourne in December 2023, before travelling to the Port of Brisbane on board a container ship.
From Brisbane, the shipment was transported to a Western Sydney home under police surveillance. The Ashcroft man was allegedly observed receiving the shipment and inspecting its contents before departing the property, the AFP says.
On 3 September, the AFP executed a search warrant at an Ashcroft property, investigators seizing three mobile phones and a small bag containing an unidentified white substance.
The man is charged by police on counts regarding attempting to possess and import a commercial quantity of methamphetamine. The maximum penalty for the offences is life imprisonment.
AFP detective superintendent Peter Fogarty said the 32kg of methamphetamine could have resulted in three million individual street deals, and had an estimated street value of more than $29 million.
“Our strong relationships and shared intelligence with international law enforcement partners is crucial to dismantling the sinister operations of these drug trafficking syndicates,” Mr Fogarty said.
“Methamphetamine is the second-most consumed illicit drug in Australia and its impact can be felt across the community, from our homes to our hospitals.”
US HSI regional attaché Ernest Verina commented on the work of the dedicated agents, detectives, and prosecutors in their efforts to keep illegal drugs off the streets.
“The dynamic and successful partnership between the AFP and US HSI will continue to dismantle international criminal organisations that attempt to smuggle dangerous narcotics across our nation’s borders,” he said.
