IRONSIDE: Two arrests, including trusted insider allegedly involved in Sydney meth import
Editor’s Note: Vision of the two arrests are available via Hightail
A Sydney subcontractor who allegedly used his role as a trusted insider to aid in the importation of 230 kilograms of methamphetamine has been arrested as part of further investigations linked to Operation Ironside.
The 34-year-old Gladesville man was arrested at his place of business in Port Botany on Tuesday (10 August 2021). He was remanded in custody to next appear in Sydney Central Local Court today (Thursday, 12 August 2021).
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) can today reveal further details about Operation
Ironside-Mati, which has led to the arrest of two Sydney men.
As part of the operation, the AFP first identified a 40-year-old Glebe man following intelligence obtained from the AN0M platform during Operation Ironside.
Police allege this man aided in the criminal activities of an organised crime syndicate by using a trusted insider in Sydney to obtain information about the movement of two shipments totaling 230 kilograms of methamphetamine.
The Illicit drugs were detected and seized in May 2021 by authorities at the border in NSW.
The 40-year-old Glebe man was arrested in Waverly on 7 June 2021. He was charged with aiding and abetting the importation of a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs, namely 230 kilograms of methamphetamine, contrary to section 307.1(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).
The maximum penalty for this offence is life imprisonment. The man was remanded in custody and is scheduled to next appear in Sydney Central Local Court on 13 September 2021.
Further investigations as part of Operation Ironside-Mati continued to identify the alleged trusted insider linked to the 40-year-old man.
A 34-year-old Gladesville man was identified as a person of interest to the investigation. The man was a subcontractor who worked to transport sea cargo containers at Port Botany, Sydney.
Police will allege the man used his trusted position within the freight import supply chain to access information to assist the criminal syndicate attempting to import the 230 kilograms of methamphetamine.
He was charged with aiding and abetting the importation of a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs, namely 230 kilograms of methamphetamine, contrary to section 307.1(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).
The maximum penalty for this offence is life imprisonment.
AFP Detective Superintendent Matthew Ciantar said criminal syndicates are on notice that further arrests are expected following the takedown of the AN0M platform.
“The intelligence gathering during Operation Ironside has enabled the AFP to follow every piece of string connecting one criminal entity in Australia to another.”
“The AFP and its law enforcement partners are continuing to disrupt drug supply chains and put immeasurable pressure on organised criminal syndicates looking to exploit Australia’s highly profitable illicit drug market,” D/Supt. Ciantar said.
Note to media:
Media are encouraged to include help-seeking information in stories about illicit drugs to minimise any negative impact on people in the community. The following services provide people with access to support and information.
- For free and confidential advice about alcohol and other drug treatment services call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015.
- Access free 24/7 drug and alcohol counselling online.
- For information about drug and alcohol addiction treatment or support, go to the Turning Point website.
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