Two United States nationals have today (25 October, 2024) been sentenced in the Melbourne County Court for their roles in facilitating the attempted importation of more than 1.7 tonnes of methamphetamine into Australia in 2019.
A man, now aged 57, has been sentenced to 21 years' imprisonment, with a non-parole period of 14 years.
A woman, now aged 52, has been sentenced to 14 years' imprisonment, with a non-parole period of eight years and six months.
This amount of methamphetamine could have been sold as more than 17 million street deals with an estimated street value of $1.29 billion - at the time this was the largest ever shipment bound for Australia and the biggest domestic seizure in the US.
The US nationals are the final two of the six syndicate members charged in Australia to be convicted over the plot, with four other people already sentenced to terms of imprisonment.
The investigation began in 2018 after the Victorian Joint Organised Crime Taskforce (JOCTF*) gathered intelligence about a planned large-scale importation by a suspected drug smuggling syndicate operating out of California.
The Victorian JOCTF worked alongside the US Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), leading to HSI and US Customs and Border Protection intercepting a consignment containing illicit drugs in California before it left American shores.
About 1.728 tonnes of methamphetamine, 25kg of cocaine and 5kg of heroin were found inside two containers purporting to contain audio equipment.
As a result of extensive investigations to identify the alleged syndicate connections in Australia, the JOCTF executed 13 search warrants across Melbourne and Sydney in early 2019. Two US nationals, three Australian men and a South Korean national were all charged.
The two US nationals pleaded guilty to conspiring to import a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs, contrary to section 307.1 by virtue of section 11.5 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth).
Details of the other four syndicate members charged in Australia:
- A Sydney man, 37, was sentenced by the Melbourne County Court on 11 May, 2021, to 15 years and six months' imprisonment, with a non-parole period of 10 years for importing and trafficking a commercial quantity of cocaine and dealing in the proceeds of crime greater than $100,000.
- A Sydney man, 31, was sentenced by the Melbourne County Court on 11 May, 2021, to 18 months' imprisonment, with a non-parole period of 12 months for trafficking controlled drugs.
- A Melbourne man, 36, was sentenced by the Melbourne County Court on 31 August, 2022, to two years' imprisonment, with a non-parole period of 144 days for dealing in proceeds of crime greater than $100,000.
- A South Korean man, 43, was sentenced by the Victorian Court of Appeal on 12 April, 2022, to 10 months' imprisonment, with a non-parole period of four months for dealing in proceeds of crime greater than $100,000.
AFP Detective Superintendent Jason McArthur said the final sentencings capped off an investigation which had spanned more than five years.
He said the case highlighted the outcomes that were achieved when law enforcement worked together across borders.
"Stopping more than 1.7 tonnes of methamphetamine before it had a chance to cause havoc and heartache on Australian streets helped to protect the community and ensured criminals could not profit at their expense. The impact of methamphetamine use is seen in domestic violence, the road toll and an overload on the health system, as well as lining the pockets of organised crime," Det-Supt McArthur said.
"Methamphetamine is an extremely addictive illicit drug which causes immense psychological, financial and social harm to users and those around them. Criminals have little regard for how these harmful drugs impact people, their families, and the community.
"I want to thank our US counterparts for their expertise and strong support of our efforts to keep these drugs from Australian shores.
"Despite the distance between the US and Australia, dedicated investigators in both countries are united in their commitment to disrupt transnational drug trafficking syndicates, which negatively impact the economy and safety in every country they operate. Close cooperation between police worldwide is essential for successfully combating crime and bringing offenders to justice.
"I also thank our members for their work on Operation Hoth over the past five years - what you do is not easy - but it makes a world of difference for everyday Australians who can rest easy knowing you are on the job."
Homeland Security Investigations Attaché Ernest Verina said the investigation was a great example of successful collaboration between multiple international law enforcement agencies determined to prevent the smuggling of illicit drugs.
"The international reach of organised crime is disrupted by global law enforcement partnerships like the one between the United States and Australia," Attaché Verina said.
"HSI is committed to stopping the scourge of illicit narcotics that devastate our communities. I commend the vital work of the dedicated agents, detectives, and prosecutors in their tireless efforts to keep illicit drugs from our streets."
Victoria Police Organised Crime Division Detective Acting Superintendent Jim Sullivan said the negative effects 17 million street deals of methamphetamine would have had were significant and would have been traumatic and life altering for many.
"The methamphetamine market is unrivalled in consumption, harm and serious and organised crime involvement compared with other illicit drugs," Det. a/Supt Sullivan said.
"If that wasn't enough, the use of methamphetamine contributes to unacceptably high levels of harm in our community including road trauma, family violence, homicides, shootings and other violent offending intrinsically linked to the illicit drug trade.
"A number of international law enforcement agencies have worked tirelessly on this investigation over the past five years to prevent the devastating impacts this could have had on our entire community.
"Our message to those involved in the manufacture and trafficking of illicit drugs is clear: we will continue to work closely with our law enforcement and intelligence partners to target you, and to dismantle your operations."
ABF Superintendent Ben Michalke said Operation Hoth stood as a landmark achievement for the Australian Border Force and partners in the fight against transnational organised crime.
"This historic seizure prevented an unprecedented volume of methamphetamine from reaching our communities and underscores the effectiveness of our joint operations with national and international law enforcement partners," Superintendent Michalke said.
"Our mission is clear: we are committed to disrupting and dismantling organised crime networks to safeguard the people of Australia.
"The ABF remains steadfast in its commitment to work closely with state, commonwealth, and international partners to combat organised crime.
"Our coordinated efforts are crucial in detecting and disrupting criminal networks in their attempts to exploit our borders. By leveraging intelligence, resources, and expertise, we continue to strengthen our ability to intercept the flow of illicit goods, ensuring the safety and security of our nation."
