Five men will appear before court this week, charged by the Australian Border Force (ABF) over their alleged roles in a criminal syndicate importing large quantities of precursors intended for the domestic manufacture of methamphetamines.
ABF Investigations NSW established Operation ORCATEL to investigate the ongoing importation of pseudoephedrine – a precursor commonly used to manufacture methamphetamine – by a syndicate based in Western Sydney.
It will be alleged in court that the syndicate facilitated more than 200 individual imports of the precursor drugs, with ABF Investigators seizing 180 consignments to date as part of this investigation.
It will also be alleged that the syndicate utilised a 'scatter gun' methodology, using parcel lockers, before having the consignment picked up and moved to another location.
As part of the ongoing investigation, ABF investigators executed a search warrant at a storage facility at Wetherill Park on Thursday 19 September 2024, suspected of being used by the syndicate as a central storage and drop point.
During the search, ABF officers located and seized approximately 120 individual consignments amounting to more than 100kg of pseudoephedrine, several litres of hypophosphorous acid, and other items consistent with the potential establishment of a clandestine laboratory.
Following further investigations, officers executed three simultaneous Commonwealth search warrants at properties at Condell Park, Fairfield, and Mount Pritchard, about 7.30am on Thursday 26 September 2024.
At the Condell Park property, officers located and seized a parcel containing pseudoephedrine, along with identity documents, and digital devices. A 26-year-old man was arrested at the home and taken to Bankstown Police Station, where he was charged with:
- One count of import commercial quantity of border controlled precursors, contrary to s307.11 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).
- One count of support a criminal organisation, contrary to s390.4 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).
- 10 counts of import border controlled precursor, contrary to s307.13 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).
The maximum penalty for importing a commercial quantity of border controlled precursors is 25 years imprisonment.
He was formally refused bail at Bankstown Local Court on Friday 27 September 2024.
Another two men – aged 37 and 45 – were arrested at the Mount Pritchard and Fairfield properties respectively.
Several items were located and seized at those locations, including identity documents, clothing, and digital devices. All seized items will undergo further forensic examination.
On the same day, investigators arrested two further men – aged 21 and 35 – at Fairfield and Bankstown. Both are alleged to play roles in the syndicate, with the older man allegedly having access to the consignment deliveries as a postal delivery driver.
The 21-year-old was taken to Bankstown Police Station and charged with:
- One count of import commercial quantity of border controlled precursors, contrary to s307.11 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).
- One count of support a criminal organisation, contrary to s390.4 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).
He was formally refused bail when he appeared at Bankstown Local Court.
The other three men were all taken to Fairfield Police Station and were all charged with:
- One count of import commercial quantity of border controlled precursors, contrary to s307.11 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).
- One count of support a criminal organisation, contrary to s390.4 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).
They appeared at Fairfield Local Court, where the 37-year-old and 45-year-old men were refused bail, while the 35-year-old man was granted bail.
All five men are due to appear at Parramatta Local Court on Friday 22 November 2024.
As part of Operation ORCATEL, officers also stopped a Vietnamese national who arrived at Melbourne International Airport on Sunday 22 September 2024, allegedly travelling to Australia to facilitate the pickup and delivery of illicit consignments. His visa was cancelled and he was turned around to return to his port of origin.
ABF Investigations NSW Superintendent Brett Totten commended the diligent and thorough work of the investigators which led to the dismantling of a criminal syndicate operating both on and offshore.
"Syndicates will utilise whatever product they can to turn a profit – in this instance, this syndicate were allegedly attempting to facilitate the initial stages of domestic methamphetamine manufacture," Superintendent Totten said.
"A critical way to stop the manufacture of illicit drugs within Australia is to prevent criminals from getting access to drug precursors in the first place.
"Precursors pose a large threat as they can be imported and exploited by the criminal actors who have a total disregard for any consequences to their illegal activities.
"Let this be a reminder that the illicit drugs you buy on the street could have any concoction of precursors, illicit drugs and other dangerous substances concealed within them.
"The ABF will continue to work closely with our state and federal counterparts to disrupt and dismantle the importation and distribution of these harmful substances ruining the lives of many in our community."
Anyone with information about suspicious activity which may impact the security of Australia's borders is urged to report to Border Watch online. By reporting suspicious activities, you help protect Australia's border and the community.