AFP smash global drug ring after seizing cocaine, ketamine inside Sydney shipping containers
Cops say an international drug syndicate has been shattered after police discovered hundreds of kilograms of drugs — worth an estimated $68 million — inside shipping containers in Sydney.
NSW
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A global drug syndicate has been crushed after federal police seized more than 200kg of cocaine and 30kg of ketamine — with a street value of $68 million — inside shipping containers in Sydney.
An investigation was launched in December 2022 after Australian Federal Police received intelligence about a criminal syndicate allegedly importing cocaine concealed inside refrigerated commercial shipping containers.
After combining forces with the NSW Police Force, officers identified a Mascot man, 39, who they suspected of being the facilitator for the criminal network, with intelligence suggesting he was co-ordinating the drug imports into Australia.
Police allege they have evidence linking the Mascot man to the planned importation of 50kg of cocaine concealed in a refrigerated shipping container.
The AFP alerted New Zealand authorities resulting in the seizure of 50kg of cocaine in April 2023, concealed within a shipping container destined for Australia.
In October 2023, Australian Border Force officers located two black duffel bags containing another 50kg of cocaine hidden inside a shipment of plastic furniture.
The AFP will allege the Mascot man was responsible for co-ordinating the importation of the 50kg of cocaine from South America.
They also allege the man orchestrated a third drug importation after border force officers in Victoria, intercepted 111kg of cocaine in four duffel bags inside a container that arrived at the port.
The total estimated street value of the cocaine in the three seizures across both countries is $68,575,000.
In March, police received intel suggesting the Mascot man was facilitating a fourth importation attempt. The information linked the man to 30kg of ketamine concealed within three commercial vehicles imported from overseas.
Investigators identified a bulk cargo carrier transporting three new vehicles believed to contain the drugs.
ABF officers examined the vehicles on the vessel and found drugs concealed under the vehicle’s seats.
This amount of ketamine has an estimated wholesale value of $7.35 million.
The AFP seized the ketamine and replaced it with a harmless substance.
Investigators then conducted a controlled delivery of the drugs inside a van to a public car park in Maroubra.
It is alleged the Mascot man contacted another man, 23, from Angus in Sydney’s northwest to collect the drugs from the vehicle.
Officers swooped on the 23-year-old as he approached the vehicle, allegedly finding three communications devices inside the vehicle he had driven to the drop-off location.
At the same time, police searched the Mascot man’s apartment, where police arrested the man while he was in possession of a dedicated encrypted communications device.
Police also seized $37,000 in currency and additional mobile phones, which are the subject of further forensic examination.
The Mascot man was charged with four counts of attempt to import a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug.
The 23-year-old Angus man was charged with one count of attempt to possess a commercial quantity of unlawfully imported border-controlled drug.
The offences carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
AFP Commander Kate Ferry said the drugs cause psychological, financial and social harm to users and those around them.
“These seizures demonstrate the importance of collaboration between law enforcement — the AFP is working tirelessly with partners to disrupt attempts by organised crime to import large quantities of illicit drugs into Australia and profit at the expense and health of our community,” Commander Ferry said.
“Ketamine specifically is a dangerous sedative; its dissociative effects block sensory brain signals and can cause memory loss, feelings of being detached from one’s body and the inability to perceive dangers.”
“Investigations like these show the resolve of our people in making Australia a hostile environment for organised crime.”
Detective Chief Superintendent Jason Weinstein said the bust reinforced how real the drug problem is in Australia.
“The seizure not only shows our capabilities to identify and detect illicit drugs, but it also gives a snapshot into how real the problem is.”
Listen to the Cocaine Inc podcast here.
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Originally published as AFP smash global drug ring after seizing cocaine, ketamine inside Sydney shipping containers
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