A New South Wales couple is expected to face Downing Centre Local Court today (2 September, 2026) charged over the alleged importation and trafficking of ketamine.
A man and woman, both 30, were charged yesterday (1 September, 2026), after the AFP executed a search warrant in Sydney's south-west, and found the suspected ketamine in a home where young children were living.
The AFP investigation commenced in July 2026 after Australian Border Force (ABF) officers allegedly detected ketamine and cocaine in a man's luggage. Further inquiries by the AFP linked the attempted importation to a property in Sydney's south-west, where the AFP yesterday, executed a search warrant.
The man, 26, from the Czech Republic, was charged with importing a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs, namely ketamine and cocaine, contrary to subsection 307.1 (1) of the Criminal Code (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is life imprisonment.
He is next expected to face court on 16 September, 2026.
When AFP investigators searched the home in Sydney's south-west yesterday, they allegedly found vacuum-sealed bags of a white powder suspected to be ketamine stored inside a tin of baby formula.
Investigators also allegedly located another 1kg of coloured crystalline substances suspected to be ketamine in foil packets in a suitcase, about 2kg of suspected ketamine in plastic containers, multiple tablets suspected to be MDMA, about $30,000 cash, a replica firearm and other items suspected to be linked to drug trafficking.
Police will allege the substances suspected to be drugs were found in rooms accessible by two young children who lived at the home.
The AFP arrested the couple and later charged each with:
- One count of importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, contrary to subsection 307.1(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is life imprisonment;
- One count of knowingly allowing premises to be used as drug premises while knowing a child had access and as a consequence, was exposed to a prohibited drug or equipment used to administer a prohibited drug, contrary to subsection 36Y(2) of the Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act 1985 (NSW). The maximum penalty for this offence is two years' imprisonment;
- One count of attempting to possess a commercial quantity of an unlawfully imported border-controlled drug, namely ketamine, contrary to section 307.5 of the Criminal Code (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is life imprisonment;
- One count of trafficking a controlled drug, namely ketamine, contrary to subsection 302.4(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is 10 years' imprisonment; and
- One count of possessing a controlled drug, namely ketamine, contrary to subsection 308.1(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is two years' imprisonment.
AFP Detective Superintendent Morgen Blunden said ketamine was a powerful dissociative substance and its use could result in memory impairment, a sense of disconnection from the body, reduced breathing and an inability to recognise or respond to risks.
"It is particularly concerning to find what we suspect is ketamine at a home and within reach of young children," Det. Supt Morgen Blunden said.
"The AFP and its partners are working tirelessly to prevent illicit drugs from reaching Australian streets and prosecuting anyone who tries to profit at the expense of our communities."
ABF Acting Superintendent Neil Singh said ABF officers were highly skilled at identifying and disrupting attempts to import illicit drugs into Australia, using a combination of intelligence-led targeting, screening capabilities and operational expertise.
"Recent ketamine detections highlight the demand for the drug in Australia and the lengths criminal syndicates will go to supply the illicit market," a/Supt Singh said.
"This outcome highlights the ongoing commitment of the ABF and its law enforcement partners to preventing illicit drugs from entering Australia and causing harm in our communities."
