This is a joint release between Australian Federal Police and Australian Border Force
The AFP has charged a Sydney man in relation to the importation of 112 kg of methamphetamine concealed in a container of commercial machinery shipped from China to Melbourne, which arrived in the Port of Melbourne on 5 July, 2023.
The Surry Hills man, 24, was arrested yesterday (Wednesday 19 July) at a factory premises in Yagoona, NSW.
The container had earlier been collected by a logistics company in Melbourne and transported to the factory in Yagoona, NSW, on 18 July.
On 19 July 2023, the AFP executed search warrants at the factory and a residence in Surry Hills, NSW. Police also located a disused clan lab in the factory and seized equipment suspected to have been used in the manufacture of drugs.
A small amount of drugs was also located at the Surry Hills address.
The Surry Hills man, 24, is expected to face the Downing Local Court today (Thursday 20 July) charged with:
- One count of attempting to possess a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to section 307.5, and 11.1(1) Criminal Code 1995 (Cth).
The maximum penalty for this offence is life imprisonment.
It is expected that further charges will be laid at a later date.
Investigations remain ongoing at this time and further arrests are expected.
AFP Detective Superintendent Anthony Hall said this amount of methamphetamine had the potential to kill or wreak havoc on Australian streets.
“This amount of methamphetamine could be broken down into about 1 million individual hits on the streets,” Detective Superintendent Hall said.
“Every single one of those hits had the potential to cause death or serious harm, not to mention significant healthcare system costs and devastating impacts on families affected by illicit drug use.
“Methamphetamine is a horrific drug that is highly addictive and has been linked to some of the most heart-breaking crimes across the country.
“On average, 33 people were hospitalised each day in Australia for methamphetamine-related incidents in 2020-21.*
“Methamphetamine is a serious threat to the Australian community, and the AFP is focused on continuing to work closely with domestic and international partners to stop this drug making its way into our community.”
ABF Commander Clint Sims said the ABF continues to work with partner law enforcement agencies right across the country to disrupt criminal activity at the border.
“We are detecting and seizing enormous amounts of dangerous drugs at the Australian border this year and we will continue to work day and night to reduce their flow, particularly that of methamphetamine, into our community,” Commander Sims said.
“These substances cause real harm to people and that’s why ABF officers dedicate themselves to maintaining the integrity of the border and creating a hostile environment for criminals.”
