The AFP has charged a Sydney man and woman with allegedly trafficking a commercial quantity of methamphetamine and dealing with more than $100,000 suspected to be the proceeds of crime.
The man, 38, and woman, 39, both Chinese nationals, appeared in Burwood Local Court yesterday (18 January, 2024) and were remanded in custody, to next appear before Burwood Local Court on 13 March, 2024.
An examination of his mobile phones revealed a video linking him to a property in Auburn, NSW, which was the former residence of the 38-year-old man.
AFP officers executed a search warrant on 17 January, 2024 at a home in Burwood where the man, 38, now resides with the woman.
They seized one bag allegedly containing about 950g of meth, other bags suspected to contain smaller amounts of meth, alleged drug trafficking paraphernalia, about $100,000 in cash stored in a suitcase and six mobile phones.
A review of the mobile phones allegedly revealed various messages indicative of trafficking drugs, along with photographs of large quantities of drugs and a large amount of cash.
The pair was charged with:
- One count of trafficking a commercial quantity of a controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to subsection 302.2(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth); and
- One count of dealing with property reasonably suspected of being proceeds of crime, contrary to section 400.9(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth).
The maximum penalty for the offences is life and two years’ imprisonment respectively.
AFP Acting Sergeant Emily McFarlane said the two arrests this week were a testament to the diligence and hard work of the investigators involved in the matter.
“Investigations don’t stop after arrests are made – if anything it’s the beginning,” she said.
“Methamphetamine, even in small amounts, causes immense harm to users, their loved ones, and the community around them.
“We are determined to prevent this serious harm to the Australian community.”
