A Sydney man has been jailed for at least eight years and three months for serious drug offences, including trafficking a commercial quantity of methamphetamine and cocaine, following an AFP-led investigation.
He was sentenced at Downing Centre District Court on Wednesday, 6 December, 2023, to 12 years and nine months imprisonment, with a non-parole period of eight years and three months.
The Carlton man, 26, was arrested in September 2022 following an investigation by AFP money laundering officers under Operation Avarus Frost, with the assistance of NSW Police and ACIC.
The man collected 5kg of methamphetamine at an Oakhurst park before being arrested by the AFP following a vehicle stop on 29 September, 2022.
One of his vehicles was found to have hidden compartments containing drugs and cash.
Three addresses at Carlton, Hurstville Grove and Cabarita were searched by AFP officers in the following weeks, leading to the seizure of $233,910 in proceeds of crime, 8kg of cocaine and smaller amounts of methamphetamine and cannabis.
AFP Detective Sergeant Bobby Higgins said the police had zero tolerance for those peddling illegal drugs in Sydney communities.
“Those responsible for distributing illegal drugs and profiting off the misery of Sydneysiders be warned; you will be caught and prosecuted to the full force of the law,” he said.
“There is no place for illegal drugs on Australian shores. A maximum sentence of more than 12 years behind bars is a clear message for anyone who wishes to take part in the drug trade; it is not worth it.”
The man was convicted of:
- Two counts of trafficking a commercial quantity of methamphetamine, contrary to section 302.2(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth)
- One count of trafficking a commercial quantity of cocaine, contrary to section 302.3(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth)
- Three counts of traffic in controlled drug (cocaine, cannabis, heroin), contrary to section 302.4(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth); and
- One count of deal with proceeds of crime – money/property $100,000 or more, contrary to section 400.4(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth)
