A freight forwarding worker has been sentenced to six years and six months' imprisonment by the Downing Centre District Court on Friday (25 July, 2024) for his role in a plan to import 100kg of methamphetamine from Canada.
The Sydney man, 41, was charged in March 2022 following a joint AFP and Australian Border Force (ABF) investigation into a transnational drug trafficking syndicate that tried to smuggle the drugs into Australia in 2021 inside a commercial dough mixer.
The investigation also resulted in the seizure of one tonne of methylamine - a prohibited precursor used to manufacture methamphetamine and MDMA.
Taskforce Vanguard, which comprises AFP and ABF members, launched Operation Dagger in October 2021 after the Canadian Border Service Authority found the 100kg of methamphetamine inside the kitchen equipment.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officers seized the shipment and replaced the illicit drugs with an inert substance, before forwarding the consignment to NSW.
AFP officers organised for the consignment to be delivered as planned to a property in Wentworthville in October 2021. The investigation resulted in the arrest of a Punchbowl man, 39, who police alleged organised the importation. In May 2023, the man was sentenced to 11 years' imprisonment.
Police alleged in court that the Sydney man, 41, used his role at a freight forwarding company to facilitate the methamphetamine importation.
The man was arrested at a Beecroft residence in March 2022, and charged the same day with one charge of attempt to import a commercial quantity of border-controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to section 307.1(1), by virtue of subsections 11.1(1), of the Criminal Code Act 1995.
During the search warrant police seized electronic devices, including a mobile phone and laptop, on which they found evidence relating to the drug importation.
He was sentenced to six years and six months' imprisonment, with a non-parole period of three years and 10 months, by the Downing Centre District Court on Friday (26 July, 2024).
AFP Acting Sergeant Shannon O'Reilly said the success of the operation could not have been achieved without the excellent cooperation and longstanding valued relationship with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Canadian Border Service Authority.
"The AFP and our partners, both overseas and in Australia, are committed to overcoming transnational organised crime. Working closely with domestic and international partners is our primary line of defence for stopping illicit drugs from reaching our communities," Acting Sgt O'Reilly said.
"Methamphetamine is the second-most consumed illicit drug in Australia, and across Australia, 27 people on average were admitted to hospital every day in 2021-22 for methamphetamine-related issues.**
"The AFP is focused on preventing the drug from entering the Australian community and causing widespread harm."
ABF Superintendent Brett Totten said the sentencing highlighted the agency's resolve to crack down firmly against criminal syndicates who attempt to smuggle narcotics across Australia's border.
"We speak regularly of our close, collaborative working relationship with law enforcement agencies like the AFP, and for good reason, but this result in particular highlights the significant accomplishments that we are able to achieve working with our international partners as well," Supt Totten said.
"The scourge of narcotics is a global issue requiring a global response - and we will continue working hand in glove with our counterparts here around the world to push back against this threat."
**Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Report
