A Werribee man has been sentenced to 17 years in prison for his role in the attempted importation of 63 kilograms of methamphetamine, as well as money laundering and large-scale drug trafficking offences.
The 27-year-old was sentenced in the Melbourne County Court on Friday and will be eligible for parole after serving 11 years and six months.
The conviction follows an investigation by the Victorian Joint Organised Crime Taskforce, which includes the Australian Federal Police (AFP), Victoria Police, Australian Border Force (ABF), Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission and the Department of Home Affairs.
The man had previously pleaded guilty to attempting to import a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, dealing with more than $100,000 believed to be the proceeds of crime, trafficking a large commercial quantity of ketamine, methamphetamine, cocaine and MDMA, and trafficking MDMA.
AFP Detective Inspector Chris Salmon said the offender knowingly participated in an organised criminal enterprise motivated by profit.
“This offender played a deliberate role in a criminal enterprise driven by profit, with no regard for the damage inflicted on individuals and the broader community,” Det Insp Salmon said.
“Organised crime groups see Australia as a high-value market, but the AFP and our partners are equally determined to disrupt and dismantle these operations.
“The AFP remains committed to targeting every stage of the drug supply chain, from international importation through to domestic distribution.”
Victoria Police Detective Acting Inspector Matt Illingworth said the impact of illicit drugs extended far beyond those directly involved.
“The harm caused by these illegal substances is far-reaching. It extends well beyond those who use them and can have lifelong impacts on innocent members of the community,” Det A/Insp Illingworth said.
“Victoria Police, working alongside our law enforcement and intelligence partners, will continue to relentlessly target high-level organised crime groups involved in the trafficking, importation and distribution of illicit drugs.”
Australian Border Force Acting Superintendent Peter Alderson said the case demonstrated the strength of cooperation between law enforcement agencies.
“Criminal networks exploiting legitimate supply chains will be identified, targeted and disrupted through ongoing cooperation across jurisdictions,” Acting Supt Alderson said.
“This outcome reinforces that those involved in coordinating large-scale drug movements will face serious consequences under Australian law.”
Authorities said the case highlights their ongoing efforts to disrupt organised crime syndicates attempting to import illicit drugs into Australia and hold those involved accountable.
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