A Malaysian national is expected to face Downing Centre Local Court today (31 October, 2024) charged for his alleged role in a transnational trafficking plot to import 100kg of methamphetamine into Australia hidden inside electronics equipment.
The AFP arrested the man, 45, after an investigation that began when Australian Border Force (ABF) officers found the illicit drugs in an air cargo consignment which arrived from Malaysia on 16 October, 2024.
When ABF officers examined the consignment, they located blocks of a white substance, weighing about 100kg in total, concealed in computer towers. The substance returned a presumptive positive result for methamphetamine.
The ABF alerted the AFP, with officers removing the illicit drugs before the consignment was released for delivery.
The consignment was delivered to a Kingsgrove storage unit yesterday (30 October, 2024), where the man, 45, allegedly took possession of the electronic goods.
He was subsequently arrested by the AFP and charged with one count of attempting to possess a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs, namely 100kg of methamphetamine, contrary to section 307.5 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth).
This offence carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
AFP Acting Superintendent Stuart Millen said the AFP worked closely with ABF and other partners to combat the illicit drug trade.
"This amount of methamphetamine could have been sold as about one million street level deals. It would have caused widespread harm, with the negative impact felt in domestic violence, in our hospitals and the road toll," he said.
"Criminals do not care about the harm they cause, they are motivated by the profits they can make.
"The AFP and partners are committed to protecting the community from the scourge of drugs and to targeting individuals who seek to profit from the illicit trade."
ABF Acting Commander Matthew O'Connor said criminal syndicates continued to look for alternative concealment methods and avenues to attempt to import drugs into the country.
"ABF officers monitor consignments closely for any anomalies to disrupt these criminal syndicates' supply chains," he said.
"They will attempt to hide illicit substances in creative cavities to evade our detection.
"Our officers' skills in detecting and disrupting this criminal behavior will continue to thrive through our collaboration and information sharing between our federal and state counterparts."
