Taskforce Phobetor search for Sydney underworld owner of $54m in meth

Taskforce Phobetor is on the hunt for the mystery owner of an imported cabinet stuffed with $54m in drugs. Despite a trail of clues, police have so far come up empty-handed.

Someone in Sydney’s underworld is down $54 million – and police want to know who.

A multi-agency taskforce has spent months attempting to track down the mystery owner of a cabinet imported into Sydney in May — and the 60kg of meth stuffed inside — to no avail.

To date, the only clue police have to go on is that it was addressed to a premises in Western Sydney with a Chinese national as the receiver.

The wooden cabinet stuffed with drugs arrived into Sydney by sea cargo from Canada on May 9 with the drugs hidden behind a false backing inside silver packages.

Since then Taskforce Phobetor — comprising the AFP, NSW Police and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission — now believes someone out there may know who forgot to pick up their delivery.

Police found the meth to the value of $54 million in the cabinet.

“We are certain there are people in Australia who know something about this importation, either as the receiver or future distributor,” Taskforce Phobetor Commander Superintendent Stuart Cadden said.

“By now, these people might be concerned that their drugs have not arrived.”

“We are urging anyone who can identify the cabinet or who may have knowledge to contact Crime Stoppers … you can provide information anonymously.”

Drugs were found inside the packages.

The loss of drugs has often led to violent consequences since Sydney’s underworld war began in 2020.

In several of the 23 gangland killings police suspect a drug deal gone wrong may have played a role in what led to several figures being shot dead.

Several of those recently killed have ties to the Sydney drug trade.

Alen Moradien who was shot dead in Bondi last month had previously served prison time for drug offences, as had Ferenc David Stemler who was gunned down in Canterbury a fortnight ago.

Police have previously linked several deaths and retaliatory shootings to the control of drug routes around NSW, claiming western Sydney crime families and bikie gangs have been in a bloody years-long battle for control.

Despite Sydney’s insatiable appetite for party drugs like criminals in the Harbour City are increasingly looking to other drugs to make a score.

Meth in particular has become a massive focus of authorities keen to keep the scourge out of Sydney and the regions of NSW.

Last month the AFP charged two men with allegedly importing more than 214kg of meth into the country from Malaysia back in December.

Days prior to this the AFP again charged three men and a 17-year-old boy with allegedly importing 230kg of meth inside an industrial-sized pulley.

The cabinet imported into Sydney stuffed with meth was eventually destined for Melbourne.

“Methamphetamine use contributes to road crashes, violence in our suburbs and in our homes,” Supt Cadden said.

“This drug is horrific and highly addictive – it burdens our healthcare system and leaves devastating impacts on families affected by illicit drug use.

“Despite the consignment being seized in Sydney, AFP and NSW Police inquiries indicate the importation was destined for Melbourne. Inquiries with respect to the intended recipients are ongoing, and involve interstate and international partners.”

“Whoever is responsible for this importation only cares about lining their pockets, not the irreversible harm they are causing.”

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