The AFP has charged two Chinese nationals for their alleged roles in a Sydney drug trafficking operation that was working with multiple criminal syndicates.
The men, aged 29 and 32, are scheduled to face Downing Centre Local Court today (31 May), and are both facing charges with a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
The investigation began after Australian Border Force officers detected seven separate consignments of illicit drugs arriving in Australia between July, 2022, and January, 2023 and referred the matter to the AFP.
AFP investigators allegedly linked the two men to the consignments, which varied in concealment methods and quantities of between 500g and 6kg of methamphetamine. The AFP executed search warrants on 2 February, 2023, at a Burwood house and a delivery van in Bronte.
At the Burwood house, investigators seized 500g of methamphetamine, $7000 cash and a mobile phone.
A Burwood man, 32, was arrested and charged with possessing a commercial amount of border controlled drugs namely methamphetamine, contrary to section 307.5(1) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth), which carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
It will be alleged the man had an unlawful non-citizen since 2013.
At Bronte, investigators seized $5000 and a mobile phone, which was allegedly used to coordinate the importations.
It will be alleged the delivery van driver, a Croydon Park man, 29, trafficked the methamphetamine and had rented a storage unit in Homebush to hold illicit drugs before passing them to syndicate members.
The Croydon Park man, 29, was charged with:
- Trafficking a marketable quantity of border controlled drugs, namely methamphetamine, contrary to section 302.3 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth); and
- Supporting a criminal organization, contrary to section 390.4 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth).
The charges carry maximum penalties of life imprisonment and five years' imprisonment, respectively.
Superintendent Narelle Mitchell said the AFP continued to target criminals who attempted to import dangerous drugs to our shores.
"These arrests should serve as a warning that the AFP and our law enforcement partners are watching, and we are not going to let drug traffickers profit at the expense of our communities," Supt Mitchell said.
"To those criminals who believe they can get away with importing drugs in any quantities without any consequences, think again.
"If you attempt to import illicit drugs into Australia, you will be caught, arrested and brought before the courts."
