NSW Police have charged a man as part of ongoing investigations into the alleged importation of $675,000 worth of liquid MDMA concealed in wine bottles.
Acting on intelligence information, officers from the Australian Border Force (ABF) examined a consignment which arrived in Sydney from the United Kingdom on Christmas Day (Friday 25 December 2020).
The air cargo consignment – which was declared to contain wine bottles – was examined by ABF officers, who noted inconsistencies.
During a subsequent deconstruction, the consignment was found to contain 4.5kg of clear liquid within the items.
The liquid was tested and returned a presumptive positive result for MDMA, which has an estimated potential street value of $675,000.
Inquiries were subsequently commenced by investigators from Redfern Region Enforcement Squad (RES) under Strike Force Dices, who seized the consignment and conducted a controlled delivery.
Following extensive inquiries, detectives, with assistance from the Central Metropolitan Operations Support Group (OSG), arrested a 63-year-old man during a vehicle stop on Lang Road, Moore Park, just before 11.30am yesterday (Thursday 7 January 2021).
A short time later, officers executed two search warrants at a restaurant at Woollahra and home at Bankstown.
During the searches, investigators seized more than $25,800 cash and electronic devices, which will undergo further examination.
The Bankstown man was taken to Surry Hills Police Station and charged with possess commercial quantity of unlawful import (border controlled drug).
He was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court today (Friday 8 January 2021).
Investigations under Strike Force Dices are continuing.
