The AFP has arrested three Sydney men and a boy, 17, for allegedly attempting to possess about 230kg of methamphetamine concealed in an industrial-sized pulley.
The men and boy were arrested on Saturday (6 May 2023) in the Sydney suburb of Wetherill Park after they allegedly attempted to access an inert substance placed in the industrial-sized pulley sent from China.
The industrial-sized pulley was sent to Sydney and arrived on 29 April and was delivered to a business in Wetherill Park on Friday (5 May 2023).
The AFP executed a search warrant at the business on Saturday and arrested a Glenmore Park man, 35, a Woy Woy man, 23, a Saint Hubert’s Island man, 21 and Penrith boy, 17.
Police additionally seized a number of power tools used to cut into the industrial-sized pulley and a number of mobile phones.
Police will allege the four people arrested are part of a criminal syndicate and played an integral part in attempting to access the large amount of methamphetamine.
The four have been charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, contrary to section 307.5 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).
The maximum penalty for these offences is life imprisonment.
The men were remanded in custody in reappear in Downing Centre Local Court on July 5, 2023.
The boy was granted conditional bail and will reappear in Downing Centre Local Court on 6 July 2023.
AFP Commander John Tanti said the AFP remained dedicated to targeting illicit drug importations, which undermined our national security, economy and social security.
“Had these drugs reached our communities, countless lives would have been impacted – inflicting a high social cost through crime, including the loss of life, increased healthcare and justice costs and loss of productivity,” Commander Tanti said.
“Transnational organised crime does not respect borders but the AFP has repeatedly demonstrated it can thrive in a borderless environment to protect the Australian community.”
