A 51-year-old Sydney man has been arrested and more than 23 kilograms of methamphetamine with a street value of approximately $15.4 million has been seized following a joint agency investigation to stop the flow of illicit substances into Australia.
On 19 November 2015, Australian Border Force (ABF) officers, acting on intelligence, intercepted a package containing a refrigerator, a juice blender and a number of water cooling towers at the port of Darwin.
After further examination, approximately 27 packages were allegedly found within the fridge doors.
It will be alleged the packages contained a white crystalline substance with a total weight of approximately 23 kilograms. Presumptive testing returned a positive result for methamphetamine (ICE). The potential street value of the drugs is up to $15.4 million.
The matter was subsequently referred to Joint Taskforce Nemesis for further investigation.
On 27 November 2015, police commenced a controlled delivery of the consignment, which had been redirected to a delivery depot in Sydney. Police will allege that the 51-year-old collected the consignment on 7 December 2015 and returned it to his premises in the Sydney suburb of Georges Hall, NSW.
Officers from Joint Taskforce Nemesis conducted a search warrant on an address in Georges Hall on 9 December 2015, where the man was arrested. During the search warrant, police will allege they discovered fraudulent documents and an additional three kilograms of a substance suspected to be methamphetamine and $6,700 cash.
The man was charged with importing a commercial quantity of border controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to section 307.1(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth) and attempt to possess a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to section 307.5 by virtue of section 11.1 of the Criminal Code (Cth). It is expected he will face Sydney Central Local Court today.
The AFP’s Darwin Office Manager Superintendent Mark Setter praised the efforts of investigators, working across states and jurisdictions to make the arrest.
“This was a complex operation, and involved a great level of coordination from the time the drugs were intercepted in Darwin to being traced through to Sydney where the arrest has been made,” Superintendent Setter said.
“The investigation is an excellent example of the collaborative working arrangements of Northern Territory law enforcement agencies.”
Northern Territory Acting Assistant Commissioner Kate Vanderlaan said the outcome demonstrated the excellent working relationships and capability of law enforcement agencies across Australia.
“This highlights the importance of the National Ice Action Strategy to minimise harm to the Australian community,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Vanderlaan said.
ABF Commander Central Region Rachel Houghton said this is yet another example of officers working in collaboration to target the illegal importation of border controlled drugs.
“Our agencies continue to combine our capabilities to prevent these substances from entering the country and impacting the Australian community,” Commander Houghton said.
Australian Crime Commission National Manager Investigations, Richard Grant, said the seizure and arrest were illustrative of state and Commonwealth agencies working together for a greater good.
Joint Taskforce Nemesis involves officers from the Australian Federal Police, Northern Territory Police, Australian Border Force and the Australian Crime Commission targeting the manufacturing, importation and distribution of illicit drugs, in particular methamphetamine.
Media enquiries:
AFP National Media - (02) 6131 6333
Northern Territory Police – (08) 8985 8838
Immigration and Border Protection Media – (02) 6264 2244
Australian Crime Commission Media – (02) 6243 6843
