Sydney, Australia – Police have arrested three men in connection with the alleged attempted importation of 500 kilograms of cocaine into Australia. The arrests were made during an operation targeting a suspected syndicate allegedly planning to remove the drugs from a sea freight facility in Sydney.
Australian Federal Police (AFP) Superintendent Peter Fogarty stated, “Transnational serious organised crime groups routinely seek to exploit vulnerabilities at Australia’s gateways to the world,” adding, “And the AFP, alongside our partners, are committed to exposing these syndicates and bringing them before the courts.”
The arrests were carried out by the Multi-Agency Serious and Transnational organised Crime (MAST) taskforce, which focuses on disrupting the methods used by international crime gangs to import drugs. Superintendent Fogarty affirmed,”We will allege this syndicate was disciplined but was no match for the capabilities and tenacity of the MAST and its investigators.”
A 38-year-old man and a 25-year-old man have been charged with importing a commercial quantity of drugs and proceeds of crime offences. A 42-year-old man faces charges related to dealing with the proceeds of crime. The drug importation charge carries a potential life sentence upon conviction.The arrests follow a recent case involving a Border Force employee charged by the same taskforce for alleged involvement in drug importations.
all three men appeared in Sutherland Local Court on monday and are scheduled to reappear next month.
