Three men charged after 90kg of meth found in multiple mattresses

The six-month joint operation was sparked after a sizeable quantity of methamphetamine was discovered in a shipment of futons sent to Sydney from the US.

Several men have been charged after almost 90kg of methamphetamine was discovered, concealed within multiple mattresses shipped into Sydney from the United States.

Operation Hesperidium, a six-month joint investigation between the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Australian Border Force (ABF), began in March after meth was found inside the first of five separate shipments of futons.

Approximately 5.5kg of methamphetamine was found hidden inside one consignment, while another 15kg was found in a separate shipment of futons two weeks later.

Almost 90kg of meth was discovered hidden in multiple mattresses shipped into Sydney from the U.S. Picture: AFP

Subsequent seizures of another three futon shipments, all bound for various Sydney addresses, led authorities to identify another 68kg of meth in total.

On September 5 a 23-year-old man was arrested at his home in Waterloo, with the AFP alleging he had planned to import more than 8kg of meth in one of the futon shipments intercepted in the US.

This came after a search warrant in the inner western suburb of Burwood led to the arrest of a 33-year-old man on May 2.

He was charged for allegedly facilitating the 15kg shipment found in March.

A 23-year-old man was arrested in Waterloo over his alleged role in facilitating the importation of more than 8kg of meth. Picture: AFP

Another Burwood man, 23, was arrested on June 6 in connection to a different consignment of 15kg of meth, with a search warrant at his home uncovering a fraudulent driver’s licence, 20kg of pseudoephedrine, 100g of cocaine and an encrypted electronic device.

All three men were charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of methamphetamine.

The 33-year-old, 23-year-old Burwood man and 23-year-old Waterloo man appeared before Downing Centre Local Court on June 22, June 7 and September 7 respectively.

All three men were charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of methamphetamine. Picture: AFP

All remanded into custody, the 23-year-old Waterloo man is expected to appear before Sydney Supreme Court on October 19.

The 23-year-old Burwood man is expected to appear before Downing Centre Local Court again on September 20.

Acting ABF Superintendent Marc Rea said the arrests had been a “great example” of collaboration and teamwork between domestic and international law enforcement.

“These men won’t be sleeping softly tonight, and if proven guilty, will face the full consequences of their actions for attempting to import these dangerous substances into our community,” he said in a statement.

The charges faced by the three men carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

Originally published as Three men charged after 90kg of meth found in multiple mattresses