The man, 31, appeared in Downing Centre Local Court yesterday (1 August, 2024) after his arrest on Wednesday. He has been remanded in custody and will next face court on 2 October, 2024.
The AFP started Operation Alstonville last month following an anonymous tip-off to Crime Stoppers and intelligence received from the United States' Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) relating to large drug shipments being sent to a Sydney-based furniture store.
On 22 July 2024, Australian Border Force (ABF) officers examined a shipping container in Port Botany, which contained two separate computer numerical control (CNC) machines.
A powdered substance was identified and subjected to presumptive testing, returning a positive result for methamphetamine. The matter was then referred to the AFP.
Further inquiries revealed an estimated 896kg of methamphetamine hidden inside packages in both machines. The drugs were removed, and the consignment was delivered to its intended address in Warwick Farm on 31 July, 2024.
Police will allege two men examined and opened the container and, with the assistance of a forklift, began to handle the contents inside.
Both men were subsequently arrested, and the AFP executed search warrants on the Warwick Farm property, a home in Minto and a vehicle. One of the men was later released pending further inquiries.
A Winston Hills man was charged with one count of attempting to possess a commercial quantity of an unlawfully imported border-controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to subsection 307.5(1) by virtue of subsection 11.1(1) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth).
The maximum penalty for this offence is life imprisonment.
Investigations are ongoing and further arrests are anticipated.
AFP Detective Superintendent Peter Fogarty said 896kg of methamphetamine could have been sold as 8.9 million individual street deals and had an estimated street value of $828 million.
"Methamphetamine is the second-most consumed illicit drug in Australia and its impact can be felt across the community, from our homes to our hospitals," Det-Supt Fogarty said.
"Across Australia, 27 people on average were admitted to hospital every day in 2021-22 for methamphetamine-related issues.**
"Criminal syndicates go to great lengths to conceal their activities, but that will never deter the AFP and its domestic and international partners. We will find those responsible and bring them before the courts.
"If you know anything about this consignment, please contact Crime Stoppers on 1300 333 000 or via crimestoppers.com.au. You can report anonymously."
ABF Acting Commander Asha Patwardhan said this was an excellent example of how intelligence sharing between agencies and international partnerships with border and law enforcement agencies could result in swift action.
"Criminal syndicates will attempt to conceal their imports in whatever ways they can, however our ABF officers are expertly trained to identify anomalies in various forms no matter what type of complex concealment is employed," Acting Commander Patwardhan said.
"Working closely with our federal counterparts provided ABF officers with the additional knowledge to intercept the consignment promptly, which resulted in almost nine million individual deals not making it to the streets.
"It's the collaborative effort between agencies and the public, who report suspicious activity when they observe it, which can deliver results such as this. We encourage anyone who wishes to report any adverse or suspicious border behaviour to contact Border Watch online."
Homeland Security Investigations Regional Attaché Ernest Verina said the international reach of organised crime was dismantled by law enforcement partnerships, like the one between Australia and the United States.
"HSI is resolute in stopping the flow of these dangerous drugs from entering our communities," he said.
**Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Report
Note to media:
Editor's Note: Vision and images available via Hightail link
Media are encouraged to include help-seeking information in stories about illicit drugs to minimise any negative impact on people in the community. The following services provide people with access to support and information.
- For free and confidential advice about alcohol and other drug treatment services call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015.
- Access free 24/7 drug and alcohol counselling online at counsellingonline.org.au.
- For information about drug and alcohol addiction treatment or support, go to turningpoint.org.au.