Three men with alleged links to Iranian organised crime have been charged with allegedly importing boxes fabricated out of methamphetamine.
A Melbourne man, 40, a Baulkham Hills man, 41, and a Telopea man, 46, have been charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug.
The three men appeared before the Downing Centre Local Court and have been remanded into custody to reappear on 16 April, 2025.
The men each face a maximum penalty of life imprisonment for attempting to possess a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, contrary to section 307.5(1) by virtue of subsection 11.1 of the Criminal Code (Cth).
The AFP charged the men on Tuesday (18 February, 2025) after the Australian Border Force (ABF) this month intercepted an air cargo shipment suspected to contain the illicit drugs, which were sent from southwest Asia.
It is alleged the shipment contained hip flasks in 400 boxes that were allegedly manufactured from methamphetamine.
Forensic testing established the consignment contained about 110kg of methamphetamine with street value of about $101,750,000 and potentially sold as 1,100,000 individual street deals.
The AFP removed the illicit drugs and facilitated a controlled delivery of the consignment, which was allegedly accepted by the Telopea man on 18 February, 2025.
Further inquiries led investigators to identify him as an alleged member of an Iranian organised crime syndicate.
AFP investigators monitored the 46-year-old as he went to a shopping centre in Sydney's west where it will be alleged he met with other alleged members of the Iranian syndicate.
Officers then followed the man to a unit in Liverpool where he allegedly started to unpack and examine the consignment.
A short time later, the AFP executed a search warrant at the Liverpool property where investigators located equipment allegedly used in the extraction of methamphetamine.
Investigators also allegedly located items consistent with a drug manufacturing laboratory, currency suspected of being proceeds of crime and electronic devices, which will be subject to further examination.
A simultaneous search warrant was also executed at a Carlingford home believed to be linked to the importation plot.
When the AFP entered that property, the 40-year-old Melbourne man allegedly fled. The 41-year-old man was arrested by the AFP.
With the assistance of the NSW Police Force Canine Unit, the 40-year-old was apprehended a short time later and conveyed to hospital, having sustained minor injuries.
The AFP alleges an active clandestine laboratory was identified at the rental house. NSW Police Force Drug & Firearms Squad Chemical Operations team was alerted.
The chemical operations team attended the property and dismantled the laboratory.
Investigators then searched the house and located items including about 9kg of pre-manufactured methamphetamine and electronic devices, which will be subject to further examination.
Inquiries remain ongoing.
AFP acting Commander Peter Fogarty said the result demonstrated the commitment of the AFP to combat transnational organised crime and illicit drug trafficking.
"The illegal and harmful drugs that organised crime syndicates import into Australia cause immense harm to users and their families and make our communities less safe," a/Commander Fogarty said.
"On average, 38 people were hospitalised each day in Australia for methamphetamine-related incidents in 2022-23*.
"No matter how elaborate or outside the box these attempts are, the AFP and our partners are committed to combatting organised criminal syndicates.
"I want to acknowledge the dedication and professionalism of all the AFP members involved in these investigations, from investigators and intelligence members to all other support capabilities.
"I also wish to thank our counterparts at NSW Police, in particular the Drug & Firearms Squad Chemical Operations team for their specialist and expert assistance in this matter."
ABF Commander Kari Ellis said the strong collaboration between partner agencies had resulted in a swift operation.
"Through ensuring the shared intelligence of our law enforcement partners, we have been able to stop more than $100 million worth of this insidious drug flooding the streets of NSW," Commander Ellis said.
"ABF officers protect the Australian border 24/7, monitoring consignments arriving from air, sea and mail cargo, utilising various detection capabilities to stop the flow of illicit drugs and ultimately interfering with the alleged associated criminal activity.
"I want to commend the work of our ABF officers. This initial detection, alongside the work of our law enforcement partners, has stopped a large quantity of drugs from hitting the community."
*Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report.
