Sydney drug bust: Two men arrested in Old Guildford over Iran meth shipment

Two men charged with smuggling more than $80 million worth of liquid methylamphetamine concealed in water bottles have faced court.

Two men charged over the alleged importation of more than $80 million worth of liquid methylamphetamine concealed in water bottles will defend the charges, a Sydney court has heard.

Majid Omrieh, 48, of West Ryde, and Mehran Neamat, 33, of Guildford, were arrested and charged after Australian Border Force and Australian Federal Police officers intercepted a shipment which arrived in Sydney from Iran earlier this month.

Police allege the consignment contained nearly 160 litres of a clear liquid, which was tested and returned a presumptive positive result for methylamphetamine.

Police arrest one of the men yesterday. Pictures: NSW Police

Police $80m worth of liquid meth allegedly smuggled from Iran in water bottles.

On Thursday morning, detectives swooped on a business in Old Guildford and arrested the two men.

They were both charged with import commercial quantity of border controlled drug, possess commercial quantity of unlawful import (border controlled drug), and supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity).

Their solicitors today applied for their release on bail, saying both men will defend the charges, however, pleas have yet to be formally entered.

Mr Neamat’s solicitor said his client had lived in Australia for 25 years and it was his first time in custody, with no issues of non-compliance against his name.

He argued the prosecution’s case suffered from “significant deficiencies” based on a police fact sheet tendered to court.

Police carried out a controlled delivery and arrested

two men, aged 48 and 33, at an Old Guildford.

The scene moments after the arrests in Sydney’s west yesterday.

Officers discovered nearly 160 litres of the clear liquid in a shipment earlier this month.

Police raided a business at Old Guildford just after 10.30am yesterday.

“There is no direct evidence and there is no single piece of circumstantial evidence” that Mr Neamat had “the requisite knowledge that would point to this offence”, he said.

Mr Omrieh’s solicitor echoed the claims, saying the Crown had “problems” if the fact sheet was taken “at its highest”.

He said there was no direct or circumstantial evidence to show his client, who was also in custody for the first time, had knowledge of the drugs allegedly contained in the shipment.

Magistrate Brett Thomas refused bail, citing the nature and seriousness of the allegations.

“I’m not prepared to say it’s a weak or strong case,” he said.

The matter was adjourned to June 17 at Central Local Court.

Originally published as Sydney drug bust: Two men arrested in Old Guildford over Iran meth shipment