Two men arrested after more than $600,000 of drugs located in garden lamps

A man will face court today charged by NSW Police Force over the importation of MDMA and ice, which was detected by Australian Border Force (ABF) officers in an air cargo consignment from Germany.

On Wednesday 7 August 2019, ABF officers located 5.5kg of 3,4-Methyl​enedioxy​methamphetamine (MDMA) and 500g of methylamphetamine (ice) concealed within a package containing garden lamps.

ABF officers identified and examined the consignment, which led to a presumptive test returning positive results for both MDMA and methylamphetamine.

The drugs have a total estimated potential street value of more than $600,000.

The matter was referred to detectives from Sydney City Police Area Command, who established Strike Force Dobem to investigate the importation.

Following extensive inquiries, two men – aged 22 and 32 – were arrested by strike force detectives outside an apartment on Sussex Street, Sydney, just before 6pm yesterday (Wednesday 14 August 2019).

Shortly after the arrests, investigators, assisted by Central Metropolitan Region’s Operation Odin, executed a search warrant at the apartment.

During the search, police seized air cargo packaging, mobile phones, and various documentation.

Both men were taken to Day Street Police Station.

The 32-year-old man was charged with possess commercial quantity unlawful import: border-controlled drug and attempted possess marketable quantity unlawful import border control drug.

He was refused bail to appear at Central Local Court today (Thursday 15 August 2019).

The 22-year-old man was later released pending further inquiries.

Investigations under Strike Force Dobem are ongoing.

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