International drug ring smashed

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Australian Customs and Border Protection yesterday dismantled a major international drug trafficking syndicate with six arrests in Sydney and Canberra.

Approximately 200 kilograms of pseudoephedrine and more than 1.8 tonnes of precursor material were seized at the Customs and Border Protection Examination Facility at Port Botany, concealed within a consignment from China.

This amount of pseudoephedrine has the potential to make in excess of 150 kilograms of methamphetamine with a street value exceeding $15 million.

The culmination of a seven-month AFP investigation resulted in conspiracy charges against the alleged syndicate. Five men were charged by AFP agents in Sydney, while another was arrested in Canberra.

It will be alleged in court that four of the men arrested in Sydney conspired to source and import the pseudoephedrine and other precursor chemicals into Australia to manufacture amphetamine-type stimulants.

It will be alleged that the Canberra man was to process the pseudoephedrine and precursor chemicals into illicit narcotics.

AFP National Manager Border and International Ramzi Jabbour said the importation and potential manufacture of illicit narcotics had the potential to impact severely on the Australian community.

“This was an attempt to evade law enforcement detection, which took months of thorough, patient investigation and collaboration with partner agencies to thwart,” Commander Jabbour said.

“This is an outstanding example of the AFP working with its Australian partner agencies and international counterparts to combat transnational crime.”

“This operation should serve as a serious warning that attempts to import prohibited substance will be stopped, and offenders will be charged and face serious consequences.”

Customs and Border Protection National Director Enforcement and Investigations Roxanne Kelley praised the efforts of both agencies in the operation.

“Customs and Border Protection takes its role of detecting and preventing the importation of prohibited substances very seriously.”

A 53-year-old Annandale man and a 58-year-old Waverley man were each charged with:

· Conspiracy to import a commercial quantity of a border controlled precursor, contrary to sections 11.5 and 307.11 of the Criminal Code Act 1995.

· Conspiracy to manufacture a commercial quantity of a controlled drug contrary to sections 11.5 and 305.3 of the Criminal Code Act 1995.

Two Chinese nationals – aged 52 and 29 – were charged with conspiracy to import a commercial quantity of a border controlled precursor, contrary to sections 11.5 and 307.11 of the Criminal Code Act 1995.

All four are scheduled to appear in Sydney Central Local Court this morning.

A 59-year-old Strathfield man was charged with attempt to pervert the course of justice, contrary to section 43 of the Crimes Act 1914.

He was bailed yesterday and is due to appear in Sydney Central Local Court on 7 July 2009.

A 27-year-old Lyneham man was charged with conspiracy to manufacture a commercial quantity of a controlled drug contrary to sections 11.5 and 305.3 of the Criminal Code Act 1995.

He will appear in the ACT Magistrates Court this morning.

The maximum penalty for conspiracy to import a border controlled precursor is 25 years imprisonment and/or a $550,000 fine.

Media Conference

A joint media conference will be held today (Thursday, 4 June 2008) at AFP Headquarters in Sydney.

Time: 9.30am

Address: AFP Headquarters, 110 Goulburn St, Sydney.