SYDNEY — Two Sydney men have been arrested and a Melbourne man charged after authorities foiled an alleged plot to import about $333 million worth of methamphetamine into Australia, hidden in shipments of mosaic tiles from the Middle East.
Australian Border Force intercepted 360 boxes of white and gold mosaic tiles in April, discovering they were impregnated with methamphetamine. The Australian Federal Police (AFP) then removed the tiles and transported them to a storage facility in Chullora, in Sydney’s south-west, on April 15.
Police allege a 56-year-old man collected the consignment while a 39-year-old man assisted with storing the illicit drugs. “The AFP will allege the men were aware the consignment contained illicit drugs and were to be paid up to $50,000 for their activities,” an AFP spokesperson said.
On April 22, the shipment was moved to a storage facility in Clayton South, Victoria. Further investigation led police to a 39-year-old man from Donnybrook, Melbourne, identified as the alleged intended recipient.
During a search of his home on May 12, officers seized electronic devices allegedly linking him to the drug importation conspiracy.
The Melbourne man was charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of unlawfully imported border-controlled drugs, failing to comply with a 3LA order, and committing an indictable offence while on bail.
The two Sydney men were arrested this morning in Holroyd and Liverpool. They are expected to appear in a Sydney court later today, facing charges of attempting to possess a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, which carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
The investigation underscores Australia’s continuing battle against large-scale drug importations and the complex methods traffickers use to conceal narcotics.
