Nathan Bertucci charged over $150m ice importation into Melbourne

The alleged mastermind behind an import of $150m of ice into Melbourne has been accused of “piggybacking” off a legitimate company to avoid scrutiny.

The alleged mastermind of a $150m ice importation into Melbourne has been arrested in a swoop on the NSW Central Coast.

The alleged mastermind of a $150m ice importation into Melbourne has been arrested in a swoop on the NSW Central Coast.

Australian Federal Police officers raided the home of Nathan Bertucci, 33, and took him into custody.

He has been charged over the April 2019 seizure of 200kg of methamphetamine which arrived from Canada.

Mr Bertucci is accused of heading a crime syndicate that “piggybacked” off a legitimate Melbourne-based whitegoods company in a bid to avoid scrutiny of an illicit air cargo.

Australian Border Force officers examined the consignment when it arrived in Melbourne and found that the black plastic-wrapped cardboard boxes contained no whitegoods, only bags of high-purity ice.

A 33-year-old man from New South Wales has been charged over the April 2019 seizure of 200 kilograms of methamphetamine.

Cash seized by the police.

Police also suspect the syndicate is responsible for other smaller air cargo and mail packages of methamphetamine, from multiple countries including Germany and Canada, which have been seized by authorities. They expect to make more arrests.

AFP Southern Commander Todd Hunter said the seizure had stopped a potential two million street deals.

“Methamphetamine causes immense harm to users and the wider community — it contributes to violence, psychological damage and other crimes,” he said.

“While sadly there is strong demand for this drug, the AFP and our partners are working tirelessly to make Australia a hostile environment for criminals trying to feed that demand, by seizing their destructive products and stripping criminal syndicates of their illegal profits.

Victorian Joint Organised Crime Task Force investigators launched Operation Caerus-Braint in April last year following the discovery of the drugs.

Border Force officers examined the consignment when it arrived in Melbourne and found that the black plastic-wrapped cardboard boxes contained no whitegoods,

The task force is made up of investigators from the AFP, Border Force, Victoria Police, the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission and the Department of Home Affairs.

Detective Superintendent Jacqueline Curran of Victoria Police said the seizure was a significant victory.

“Drugs such as ice continue to be a key driver for a number of serious and at times, life-altering crimes within the Victorian community, including drug driving, drug-fuelled assaults, and drug-fuelled family violence,” Supt Curran said.

“Sadly, we know ice use is prevalent within our community, especially throughout regional Victoria, which remains a significant concern for police.”

Mr Bertucci faced court in NSW hours after his November 25 arrest and was charged with importing methamphetamine. He is expected back in court on January 19 and faces a maximum penalty of life in prison.

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