A Sydney man is expected to face Downing Centre Local Court today (8 May, 2025) charged over his alleged involvement in a failed plot to import about 215kg of methamphetamine and 3kg of heroin in tiles sent from Southeast Asia.
The AFP arrested the man, 57, yesterday (7 May, 2025) at his Drummoyne home after an investigation which started last month when Australian Border Force (ABF) officers found the illicit drugs in a shipment of floor tiles.
ABF officers examined the consignment after it arrived in Sydney on 22 April, 2025, and found many of the tiles had voids, which held a total of 10 plastic-wrapped sealed bags.
Initial testing was done of the crystallised substance in the bags. Most returned positive results for methamphetamine, while the substance in one bag returned a positive result for heroin.
The total estimated weight of the drugs concealed within the consignment was about 215kg of methamphetamine and 3kg of heroin.
ABF reported the matter to AFP, which began an investigation.
As a result of inquiries, the AFP executed search warrants at a number of locations, including a business in Shell Cove, NSW, on 6 May, 2025, as well as a business in Llandilo, NSW, and at the Drummoyne home yesterday (7 May, 2025).
The Drummoyne man has been charged with:
- One count of import a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to subsection 307.1(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth); and
- One count of import a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, namely heroin, contrary to subsection 307.1(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth).
The maximum penalty for these offences is life imprisonment.
AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Stuart Millen said the AFP and its partners were committed to protecting Australia from the harm caused by illicit drugs.
"This is a significant seizure - this amount of methamphetamine could have been sold as more than two million individual 'street level' deals, which would have represented about $198 million going into the pockets of criminals," Det a/Supt Millen said.
"The heroin seized had an estimated street value of $1.5 million.
"On average, 38 people were hospitalised each day in Australia in 2022-23 for methamphetamine-related incidents, while it is estimated the deaths of 340 people in 2023 were heroin-induced*.
"Illicit drugs cause untold harm and the AFP will continue working tirelessly with ABF and other partners to stop those who seek to profit from wreaking this misery on communities."
ABF Superintendent Jared Leighton praised the work of officers, who serve as the community's first line of defence against dangerous substances entering our country.
"Criminals will try to hide illicit substances in a variety of creative ways, however our officers have many detection methods at their disposal with officer intuition and use of innovative technologies often the driving forces behind these kind of discoveries," Supt Leighton said.
"The ABF will continue to work with our partner agencies to detect and disrupt this criminal activity and protect the Australian public."
*Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
