Two men will appear in court today charged over the alleged importation of methylamphetamine concealed in vehicle parts from Southeast Asia.
Last month, the State Crime Command's Organised Crime Squad and the NSW Crime Commission established Strike Force Baileyana to investigate the importation and supply of illicit drugs into NSW.
Acting on information from the NSW Police Force, Australian Border Force (ABF) officers targeted an air cargo consignment which had arrived at a Sydney freight depot from Southeast Asia on Wednesday (6 November 2019).
The consignment, which was declared to contain motor vehicle parts, was examined by ABF officers who noted inconsistencies.
During a subsequent deconstruction, it was found to contain 15.5kg of a white crystalline substance concealed within 18 vehicle parts.
The substance was tested and returned a presumptive positive result for methylamphetamine, which has an estimated potential street value of more than $4.5 million.
Strike Force Baileyana investigators, with assistance from Australian Federal Police and ABF, seized the consignment and conducted a controlled delivery.
Following extensive inquiries, detectives arrested a 20-year-old man outside a home at Mount Pritchard just before 6pm yesterday (Thursday 7 November 2019).
A short time later, a 22-year-old man was arrested by officers from Bass Hill Region Enforcement Squad outside a home at Canley Heights.
After the arrests, strike force investigators executed two search warrants at homes at Mount Pritchard and Wakeley.
During the searches, police located 250g of cocaine, 250g of methylamphetamine, ammunition, documents, and $17,000 cash.
The men were taken to Fairfield Police Station, where the younger man was charged with possess commercial quantity unlawful import: border-controlled drug and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime.
Police will allege in court that the man accessed the consignment at St Johns Park before transporting it to Mount Pritchard.
The older man was charged with possess commercial quantity unlawful import: border-controlled drug.
Police will allege in court that the man accessed the consignment at Mount Pritchard.
The pair were refused bail to appear at Fairfield Local Court today (Friday 8 November 2019).
Investigations under Strike Force Baileyana are ongoing.
Anyone with information that may assist Strike Force Baileyana investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
