38kgs of methamphetamine intercepted at Sydney airport

A Sydney Airport baggage handler who allegedly took two rucksacks filled with ice off a flight from Canada and placed them at the domestic terminal for another man to collect could face life in jail. WATCH THE DRAMATIC ARREST VISION

A Sydney Airport baggage handler who allegedly took two rucksacks filled with ice off a flight from Canada and placed them at the domestic terminal for another man to collect could face life in jail.

Australian Federal Police allege Campsie man Uinisit­ani Tolutau, 32, “abused” his access to the secure areas of the airport on Wednesday to help import 38kg of ice.

Police have arrested two men over the seizure of approximately 38kg of methamphetamine. Picture: AFP

One of the men is an airport employee. Picture: AFP

Tolutau allegedly took the bags from the drug-laden luggage from the baggage hold of the plane which touched down on Wednesday morning, and transported them through the airport, where he arranged to have them placed on a domestic carousel.

But federal police were watching every move.

Officers pounced on Melbourne man Paul Silao, 26, after he picked up the bags and was leaving the domestic terminal following his arrival on a flight from Melbourne.

At the same time Tolutau was also apprehended by police at 11.20am.

The bags were later found to contain approximately 38 kilograms of methamphetamine. Picture: AFP

It is alleged the Campsie man transferred the bags containing methamphetamine through the international terminal. Picture: AFP

The street value of methamphetamine varies with the purity of the drug but previous AFP estimates have put the price at $500 per gram — making the 38kg seized worth $19 million.

Tolutau was charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug and Silao with possessing a commercial quantity of an unlawfully ­imported border controlled drug. Both carry sentences up to life in jail if found guilty.

Neither of the accused men applied for bail in Central Local Court yesterday.

They are both due to apply for bail on March 19.

The bags were then collected by a 26-year-old man from Travancore, Melbourne. Picture: AFP

AFP acting Commander Nathan Barron said police were targeting criminal syndicates trying to infiltrate airport security.

“Yesterday’s arrests include a man who has abused the trusted access he has to ensure the smooth ­operation of Sydney’s international airport and instead sought to exploit it for the greed of all those involved,” he said.

“The AFP is committed to upholding the principles of trust and integrity among those working in the airport.”