The AFP has charged a Sydney man with drug offences after authorities prevented 27kg of ketamine hidden in medicine balls and cushion covers from entering the community.
The man, 44, appeared before the New South Wales Bail Division Courts yesterday (3 March, 2026) charged with:
One count of importing a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs, being 27.5kg of ketamine, contrary to section 307.1 of the Criminal Code (Cth); and
One count of trafficking a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs, being 1kg of methamphetamine, contrary to section 302.2(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth).
On 26 January, 2026, Australian Border Force (ABF) officers in Sydney intercepted and examined a consignment, locating 1.5kg of ketamine within a medicine ball.
On 29 January, 2026, ABF officers stopped a second consignment bearing the same consignee details. They found about 16kg of ketamine concealed within weighted therapeutic cushion covers.
AFP inquiries into the shipments led police to the man.
ABF officers intercepted a third consignment with similar details on 9 February, 2026, and seized about 10kg of ketamine concealed within purified aluminum sulphate packets.
AFP officers executed search warrants in Lalor Park and Smithfield on Monday, 2 March, 2026, and seized electronic devices, drug paraphernalia, handwritten notes, and 1kg of methamphetamine.
The AFP will allege the man's phone contained conversations relating to the consignments being seized by ABF, and photos and videos of the man weighing packages containing white powder.
The man was charged and faced court yesterday. He was remanded in custody is next scheduled to appear before Parramatta Local Court on 1 May, 2026.
He faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
AFP Detective Acting Inspector Paul Watt said ketamine was a dangerous sedative that caused memory loss, feelings of being detached from one's body, and an inability to perceive dangers.
"Drugs like ketamine are illegal for a reason, as they inflict pain and misery on users, their loved ones and the community more broadly," Det a/Insp Watt said.
"The AFP works hand-in -hand with ABF every day to detect and disrupt drug importations before they wreak havoc on our communities. This is a great example of how intelligence sharing with partners can be used to stop drugs at the Australian border and help us with crucial information to seize drugs shipments while in transit."
ABF Inspector Rob Rangi said the ABF had intercepted a significant number of consignments containing ketamine in early 2026 and would use every tool available to continue preventing the harmful drug from reaching Australian streets.
"Our skilled officers, paired with intelligence-based targeting, are trained to spot patterns and anomalies across multiple consignments," Insp Rangi said.
"Criminals seeking to profit at the expense of the Australian community can expect strong action - including detection, disruption, and criminal charges.
"Between 31 December, 2025, and 31 January, 2026, ABF officers across NSW and Victoria seized more than 438 kg of ketamine, with an estimated street value of approximately $75 million."
