Two Melbourne men jailed for trying to import $2bn of meth and $18.5m of heroin into Australia

A 42-year-old Elwood man and a 43-year-old Darley man have been jailed for trying to import one of the largest shipments of meth in Australian history.

Two men have been jailed over a 2019 bid to import the biggest shipment of meth in Australian history. Picture: AFP

Two men have been jailed for trying to import one of the largest meth hauls in Australian history.

The pair, a 42-year-old Elwood man and a 43-year-old Darley man, tried to smuggle more than a billion dollars worth of meth and heroin in 2019.

The bust included about 1.6 tonnes of meth and 37kg of heroin hidden in a shipment of stereo speakers bound for Melbourne from Thailand.

Two men were jailed over a 2019 bid to import the biggest shipment of meth in Australian history. Picture: AFP

The men tried to smuggle more than a billion dollars worth of meth and heroin in 2019. Picture: AFP

AFP investigators as part of Operation Circinus busted the attempted import, worth almost $2bn in meth and $18.5m in heroin, when it landed at the Melbourne Container Examination Facility in April that year.

The shipment, found wrapped in green and gold tea packaging, would have created 16 million different drug deals had it made its way into the community.

Appearing at the County Court on Wednesday, the 42-year-old ringleader of the plot was ordered to spend at least 21 years behind bars and his 43-year-old accomplice received a non-parole period of 14 years.

The bust included 1.6 tonnes of meth and 37kg of heroin. Picture: AFP

A 42-year-old Elwood man and a 43-year-old Darley man were jailed. Picture: AFP

Their convictions come as an East Melbourne man faced court in Sydney for allegedly trying to smuggle almost $11m worth of meth into NSW from the US in a separate haul.

20-year-old Oliver James Bird will remain behind bars over Christmas after he fronted Sydney Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday afternoon via video link, where his lawyer did not apply for bail.

Federal police arrested Mr Bird in late October when he allegedly tried to pick up the 12kg stash, disguised as a delivery of hospital bed sheets, from a property in Padstow, southwest of Sydney.

He will be remanded back in custody, where he has remained since his arrest, until his next hearing in February when he is expected to appear in person.

Mr Bird’s lawyer Alicia Boehm indicated that she would apply for Mr Bird to be bailed at his next hearing.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) began probing the large haul in September following a tip-off from the Australian Borer Force (ABF).

Detective Acting Superintendent Emmanuel Tsardoulias, AFP. Picture: Supplied

Investigators charged Mr Bird with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of unlawfully imported border controlled drugs and possessing identification information and intending to use the information to engage in conduct that constitutes an offence.

Had the stash made it onto the streets, it would have created 120,000 doses with a total street value of $11m.

AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Emmanuel Tsardoulias said keeping the drugs off the streets would save lives.

“The devastating impact methamphetamine has on individuals and their families is well known,” he said.

“This amount could have accounted for about 120,000 individual hits, had it reached Australian streets.”

ABF Superintendent Asha Patwardhan said there was no way to disguise drugs coming into the country that her team wouldn’t cotton on to.

“The detection capabilities of ABF officers at all entry points to Australia – whether it be air, sea, or mail – continues to disrupt illicit drug importation,” she said.

Mr Bird will return to court in February.