The AFP has charged a Hunter Valley man for his role in the alleged attempted importation of 21kg of methamphetamine from Spain last month.
The man, 37, allegedly had links to an organised crime group and appeared in Singleton Local Court today (7 February, 2025) charged with attempting to import commercial quantities of border-controlled drugs. He was remanded in custody to reappear before court on 9 April, 2025.
AFP officers started an investigation on 15 January, 2025, after a referral from the Australian Border Force (ABF), where officers observed an anomaly within a consignment which arrived via sea cargo.
The cargo, described as being portable power stations, was examined by ABF officers with assistance from the ABF Detector Dog Unit, where they located approximately 21kg of methamphetamine concealed within several individually-wrapped packages.
The AFP seized the methamphetamine, which has an estimated street value of about $19 million and could have been sold as about 210,000 individual street deals.
AFP investigators facilitated a controlled delivery of the consignment yesterday (6 February, 2025) to its intended address in Bulga, in the NSW Hunter Valley, where it will be alleged the 37-year-old took possession of the consignment.
A search warrant was executed at a property linked to the man, where police located further illicit substances and drug paraphernalia. Investigators also located electronic devices, including five mobile phones allegedly belonging to the man.
The man was charged with one count attempt to possess a commercial quantity of an unlawfully imported border-controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to section 307.5(1), by virtue of 11.1(1), of the Criminal Code (Cth). This offence carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
Following the man’s arrest, further search warrants were executed at Hunterview where police located a suspected explosive device.
With the assistance of the NSW Police Rescue & Bomb Disposal Unit, the device was identified as a commercial-grade grenade and seized by police.
Police also seized a small quantity of border-controlled drug as well as further drug paraphernalia at the Hunterview property.
AFP Detective acting Inspector Aaron Burgess said serious organised crime in any form was a national security threat.
“The illegal and harmful drugs that organised crime syndicates import into Australia make our communities less safe,” Det-a/Insp Burgess said.
“The use of illegal substances causes immeasurable harm to users and their families. Territorial drug disputes spill into suburbs and put innocent people at risk, while drug-affected drivers are a menace on the roads – all in the name of profit for organised crime syndicates.
“That is why the AFP works closely with law enforcement and intelligence partners locally and internationally to disrupt these groups seeking to harm Australians and profit at the expense of our communities.
“I would like to thank the dedicated men and women – the sworn and unsworn members – who have again helped protect Australians from the scourge of illicit drugs.”
ABF Superintendent Jared Leighton said the use of ABF’s detector dog capability further enhanced the officer’s knowledge and ability to identify the complex concealments.
“The officers’ suspicions were already heightened due to noted anomalies on the consignment’s x-ray image, however the subsequent positive detection from the ABF’s detector dogs gave additional confirmation that further analysis and testing was required,” Supt Leighton said.
“This demonstrates the suite of detection capabilities that our officers can employ to detect and stop kilograms of harmful substances from flooding onto our streets.
“The ABF will continue to work with our state, national and international law enforcement partners to disrupt these criminal syndicates in their tracks.”
Enquiries into the syndicate remain ongoing.
