A Melbourne man with alleged links to international organised crime has been charged over his alleged involvement in a plot to import 70kg of cocaine.
The man, 32, from Sunshine North, is one of two brothers who were charged in April, 2025, over their alleged links to a 'rip crew' that was accused of breaking into a shipping container at the Port of Melbourne in March (2025) to access a consignment they allegedly believed contained cocaine.
However, authorities had already discovered and removed 70kg of cocaine and two GPS trackers hidden inside the shipment of industrial machinery.
A 'rip crew' is a group of professionals hired by criminal syndicates to retrieve illegally imported drugs from high-security areas.
When two men, dressed in black clothes and balaclavas, allegedly broke into the precinct with bolt cutters on 10 March, 2025, they retrieved packages of an inert substance the AFP had placed in the container.
As a result of inquiries, the AFP executed a search warrant at the Sunshine North man's home on 2 April, 2025 and charged him over the alleged discovery of small quantities of illicit drugs at the property.
Police also seized a mobile phone for digital forensic analysis.
While examining this device, the AFP allegedly found evidence linking the man to the plot to retrieve the 70kg of cocaine which had been imported into Australia via sea cargo.
As a result of the new alleged evidence, the man was taken into custody on 5 June, 2025, and appeared before the Melbourne Magistrates Court the following day (6 June) charged with:
One count of attempted possession of a commercial quantity of an unlawfully imported border-controlled drug, contrary to section 307.5(1) by virtue of section 11.1 of the Criminal Code (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is life imprisonment.
One count of failing to comply with a 3LA Order, contrary to section 3LA(6) of the Crimes Act (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is 10 years' imprisonment.
The man was remanded in custody to reappear in court on 23 July, 2025.
AFP Detective Superintendent Simone Butcher said the latest charges reinforced the relentless dedication of AFP investigators.
"Our investigators comb through gigabytes of information in pursuit of the evidence they need," Det Supt Butcher said.
"The AFP is dedicated to keeping Australians safe from the harm caused by illicit drugs and the cynical greed of organised crime pedalling their misery.
"Some investigations take months or years, and I'd like to thank our investigators for their unwavering commitment to identifying those involved in this illicit trade."
