A Padstow man linked to organised crime who coordinated the importation of 100kg of cocaine in the cargo hold of a passenger plane has been sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment.
His jail term follows the sentencing of three other men - including two trusted insiders - to a combined maximum of 15 years and nine months' imprisonment for their role in the same criminal enterprise.
An AFP investigation into the importation began in October 2022 following a report from an airline about suspicious activity near the cargo area of a Sydney-bound flight at Johannesburg, South Africa.
Two men with access to the restricted zones of Sydney Airport - also known as trusted insiders - were identified and suspected of using their employment to access and remove items from the cargo hold of an inbound aircraft, bypassing regular security screening measures.
Following a 12-month investigation into the report, investigators were able to link the Padstow man to the trusted insiders and confirm his position as coordinator of a importation in October 2023.
AFP investigators disrupted the syndicate as they offloaded the cocaine from an aircraft - with an estimated street value of $40 million - and arrested the 43-year-old at Rushcutters Bay.
The man, 43, pled guilty to conspiracy to import a commercial quantity of cocaine, contrary to section 307.1 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth) in the Downing Centre Local Court on 30 October 2024.
He was sentenced today (13 February, 2026) and will serve a non-parole period of five years.
One member of the alleged syndicate remains before the courts.
AFP Detective a/Inspector Paul Watt said the AFP and its partners remained committed to preventing organised criminal groups from exploiting Australia's airports and those who were privileged to hold access to them.
"To anyone who works in an airport environment and may be lured in by the false promise a life of crime may offer, let me be very clear - these offences carry the potential of life in jail and Operation Lucian is a testament to that," Det. a/Insp Watt said.
"You are up against a well-resourced, capable and unrelenting opposition in the AFP and our partners, and we will not allow criminals to make out communities less safe.
"Operation Lucian spared Australians from the violence, addiction and further criminality this shipment of cocaine would have brought to our shores."
