A Sydney airport worker was sentenced to two years and four months’ imprisonment, with a non-parole period of 18 months, by the NSW District Court today (11 August, 2026) for his role in supporting a criminal organisation to import 127kg of pseudoephedrine.
The man, 56, was arrested in June, 2021, after an AFP investigation linked him to the illicit activity as a result of intelligence gained during the AFP-led Operation Ironside.
Operation Ironside was a three-year operation during which the AFP and FBI monitored criminals’ encrypted communications through a dedicated encrypted communications platform. Further information about Operation Ironside can be found here.
In October 2020, Australian Border Force (ABF) officers intercepted a consignment – described as containing denim material – which arrived in Sydney from India. ABF officers located 26 boxes containing rolls of fabric, with further investigation revealing clear packets containing a white powder-like substance. Forensic testing and analysis confirmed the substance was 127kg of pure pseudoephedrine, a precursor for methamphetamine.
Intelligence obtained through the AN0M platform led investigators to allege the man used his position as an airport worker at Sydney Airport to alert the criminal organisation responsible for the importation of law enforcement interest.
The man pleaded guilty on 18 June, 2026, to supporting a criminal organisation, contrary to section 390.4 of the Criminal Code (Cth).
AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Luke Wilson said Operation Ironside enabled law enforcement to gain unparalleled insight into the activities of organised crime syndicates and to intervene before significant harm could occur.
“What we observed throughout Operation Ironside demonstrated a blatant disregard for the law and the safety of the Australian community,” Det a/Supt Wilson said.
“The AFP and our law enforcement partners remain committed to identifying and disrupting every level of the drug trade, including those who abuse positions of trust to facilitate organised crime.
“Criminals should be on notice – no matter what role a person plays in supporting organised crime, they will be identified, prosecuted and brought before the courts.”
ABF Superintendent Asha Patwardhan said criminal syndicates would use any means available to import illicit drugs into Australia, including exploiting vulnerable individuals in positions of trust who had legitimate access to secure areas of our border environment.
“ABF officers use intelligence-led targeting, operational expertise and sophisticated detection capabilities to identify illicit goods and those seeking to evade Australia’s border controls,” Supt Patwardhan said.
“This result should serve as a warning to anyone who seeks to abuse a position of trust for criminal gain and profit. Those who assist criminal syndicates will be identified and held accountable.
“The ABF remains committed to identifying and disrupting trusted insider threats to protect the integrity of our supply chain, the border and the Australian community.”
