A Greek national, 30, has been arrested in the surf at a NSW beach for his alleged role in an importation of 34kg of methamphetamine to Sydney.
The AFP began an investigation in June, 2024, into an organised crime syndicate suspected of importing drugs from the United Kingdom.
The 30-year-old man is alleged to have stored a car containing 37kg of methamphetamine with the intention of delivering the vehicle and illicit drugs to an unknown person. The illicit drugs had an estimated street value of $34 million.
An arrest warrant was issued on 25 November, 2024, for his alleged role in possessing the drugs.
Following inquiries by AFP investigators, the man was observed at Birubi Beach, Anna Bay - located about an hour north of Newcastle - about 5:20pm on Friday, 20 December. When he was approached, the man allegedly ran into the ocean to evade AFP and NSW Police investigators. After a short period of treading water, the man entered shallow water and was arrested.
The man was subsequently charged with:
- One count of possess a commercial quantity of unlawfully imported border controlled drugs, contrary to section 307.5, by virtue of section 11.1, of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is life imprisonment.
- One count of breach of bail, contrary to section 77(1)(e) of Bail Act 2013 (NSW).
He appeared in Parramatta Local Court on 21 December, 2024 and was formally refused bail. The matter was listed for the same court on 20 February, 2025.
The man is the fourth person charged by the AFP as part of the investigation into the possession of the methamphetamine.
Two Greek nationals, aged 43 and 41, were arrested on 29 June, 2024 and 1 October, 2024 for allegedly removing the methamphetamine from an air cargo consignment located in the Sydney suburb of Earlwood and hiding the illicit drugs in a car.
They were charged with:
- One count of possess a commercial quantity of unlawfully imported border controlled drugs, contrary to section 307.5, by virtue of section 11.1, of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth).
They are remanded in custody and listed to return to Downing Centre Local Court on 19 February, 2025.
A fourth Greek national, ,45 was arrested 20 November, 2024, as part of the investigation. The AFP will allege he also helped store the vehicle containing the methamphetamine with the intention of delivering the vehicle and illicit drugs to an unknown person.
He was charged with possess a commercial quantity of unlawfully imported border controlled drugs, contrary to section 307.5, by virtue of section 11.1, of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth).
He has been remanded in custody and is listed to return to Downing Centre Local Court on 15 January, 2025.
AFP Detective Superintendent Kristie Cressy said the arrest highlighted the AFP's commitment to combatting drug trafficking.
"Let these arrests serve as a warning to criminal syndicates plotting attempts to bring illicit substances into our country - we are ready to act and disrupt your criminal activities, together with our law enforcement partners," Det Supt Cressy said.
"The AFP is committed to targeting, identifying and disrupting any attempt to import harmful illicit substances into our country and we are dedicated to bringing those responsible to justice."
In the past financial year, the AFP and Australian Border Force (ABF) have seized more than 33.7 tonnes of illicit drugs and precursors, including 11 tonnes of methamphetamine.
There were 11,220 Australians hospitalised - the equivalent of over 30 hospitalisations every day in 2021-22 - from methamphetamine, cocaine or heroin consumption.
