A Sydney man is appeared before Downing Centre Local Court on 12 June 2025, charged over his alleged involvement in a US-based drug trafficking syndicate accused of importing 48 kilograms of illicit drugs into Australia across three months.
The 38-year-old man was arrested as part of Operation Evandale, a joint investigation launched in December 2023 after Australian Border Force (ABF) officers intercepted 24 separate consignments from the United States. The shipments allegedly contained 18kg of methamphetamine and 30kg of cocaine.
ABF Superintendent Asha Patwardhan said criminal groups continue to exploit multiple import methods in attempts to smuggle drugs into the country.
“Organised crime want to exploit any vulnerability they can identify to smuggle their goods in and boost their profits – they do not care about the harm it can cause to the community,” Supt Patwardhan said.
“ABF will continue to work closely with our border protection and law enforcement partners to disrupt and dismantle their deceitful business models.”
Image: Operation Evandale (Source: AFP)
Police allege the man played a critical role in monitoring the consignments while in transit and had planned to collect them upon arrival in Australia. He is also accused of receiving $125,000 in suspected proceeds of crime and laundering the funds on behalf of two individuals.
The man, who was arrested on the Gold Coast on Tuesday and extradited to New South Wales yesterday, has been charged with five offences, including aiding and abetting the importation of a commercial quantity of border-controlled drugs, dealing in property suspected to be crime proceeds, unauthorised possession of pistols, and supplying a commercial quantity of a prohibited drug.
Authorities seized three mobile phones during his arrest. Two properties linked to the investigation were also raided on 10 June – one in Condell Park, where about $100,000 in cash and five balaclavas were found, and another in Padstow, where police discovered approximately $24,800 in cash, 1kg of cocaine, ammunition, and four pistols hidden in the roof.
AFP Detective Superintendent Morgen Blunden said that regardless of a person’s position within a criminal organisation, their actions contribute to serious harm.
“Moving illicit cash and drugs are not minor offences and negatively impact Australia’s economy and health care system,” Det Supt Blunden said.
“This arrest should send a strong warning to criminals that if you participate in illegal activities, the AFP will apprehend and prosecute you.”
If convicted, the man could face a maximum penalty of life imprisonment for the drug offence and three years for the proceeds of crime charges.
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