A 52-year-old Sydney man accused of orchestrating the importation of illicit drugs through international mail faced Downing Centre Local Court on 20 June 2025.
AFP Detective Superintendent Morgen Blunden said the operation was a strong reminder of law enforcement’s determination to disrupt drug importation efforts.
“This arrest should serve as a serious warning to criminals attempting to import dangerous drugs into our country,” Det Supt Blunden said.
“Illicit drugs cause immense harm to users and their families and make our communities less safe.”
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) launched an investigation in November 2024 after Australian Border Force (ABF) officers intercepted around 30 suspicious international packages.
The parcels, allegedly addressed to various individuals, were found to contain cocaine, methamphetamine, and ketamine, with a combined weight of approximately 8kg.
Authorities allege the man was actively tracking and redirecting these parcels.
On 19 June 2025, AFP investigators executed a search warrant at a property in Kogarah Bay, seizing a laptop, eight mobile phones, documents, cocaine testing kits, and a small quantity of a white substance suspected to be cocaine.
ABF Border Intelligence Superintendent Marisa Dominello praised the joint efforts of the agencies involved.
“The ABF is the first layer of protection at our borders,” she said. “Our officers use sophisticated targeting and intelligence techniques to detect and intercept suspicious consignments before they can reach the community.”
“This result highlights the power of intelligence-led cooperation between partner agencies working to secure Australia’s borders.”
The man has been charged with one count of importing a marketable quantity of border-controlled drugs, an offence under section 307.2 of the Criminal Code (Cth), which carries a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison.
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