customs and border protection media release
$84 million of cocaine seized & four people charged during joint drug operation
Joint media release with the NSW Police Force and the Australian Federal Police
Issued at 9:35am on Tuesday 13 July 2010.
A joint investigation involving the NSW Police Force, Australian Federal Police and the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service has resulted in the seizure of 240 kilograms of cocaine – the fifth largest seizure of this drug in Australian history.
The significant operation involved investigations in Victoria and New South Wales and has prevented $84 million worth of cocaine reaching Australian streets.
Four men have been arrested and charged. A 30-year-old United States National was charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug and conspiracy to supply a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug.
A 25-year-old Mexican National was charged with attempting to import a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug.
Two other men aged 24 and 25 and both from Australia, have been charged with attempt to possess commercial quantity of a border controlled drug.
The men have been refused bail and will re-appear at various dates over the next two months.
The charges relate to joint investigations conducted by officers from the NSW Police Force, the Australian Federal Police, and the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service into the alleged shipment of cocaine from Mexico to Australia.
On Monday 14 June, 2010, Customs and Border Protection selected two shipping containers of stone pavers at the Port Melbourne Cargo Examination Facility for examination. During the examination, 240 kilograms of cocaine were found to be concealed within some of the pavers.
As part of the operation, the cocaine was replaced with an inert substance. The shipment was then delivered to a warehouse in the Melbourne suburb of Moorabbin, where it will be alleged it was sorted and the pavers containing ‘drugs’ separated from the legitimate pavers.
The shipment was then conveyed to Sydney where it was delivered to a suburban address in Baulkham Hills, arriving on Saturday 3 July 2010.
On Sunday 4 July 2010, police arrested the 25-year-old Mexican National after he allegedly sorted and transported the pavers from Victoria.
On Tuesday 6 July 2010, the two Australian men aged 24 and 25 were arrested in Mascot as they allegedly attempted to take receipt of 30 kilos of the cocaine shipment.
The 30-year-old United States National was later charged for his alleged role in attempting to facilitate the distribution of the cocaine.
Director of the NSW State Crime Command’s Organised Crime Directorate, Detective Chief Superintendent Ken McKay, said, “This operation has been a major undertaking by all three agencies and has utilised the expertise of police from across states and federal jurisdictions.
“As a result, police have effectively disrupted what is a large organised crime syndicate and prevented $84 million worth of cocaine reaching our streets,” Det/Ch/Supt Ken McKay said.
AFP National Manager Serious and Organised Crime, Assistant Commissioner Kevin Zuccato said the arrests demonstrate that effective inter-agency cooperation is a crucial part of the detection and disruption of criminal enterprises operating across international borders.
“This successful operation involved policing resources across Australia’s two largest cities and the AFP’s international network, and is a prime example of our commitment to combating criminal enterprises that operate internationally.
“The combined efforts of this joint investigation have directly resulted in a seizure that has saved the Australian community $69.6 million in associated health and social costs,” Assistant Commissioner Zuccato said.
Customs and Border Protection NSW Regional Director, Andrew Hosking, said that this result shows the great work of officers from all the agencies involved.
"I'd like to commend all the officers who worked tirelessly on this operation. Their dedication and hard work has kept this harmful substance from entering the Australian community," he said.
Media Contacts:
For all further media enquiries please phone the relevant media officer as detailed below.
NSW Police – State Crime Command Media Officer – (02) 8835 8339
Australian Federal Police – AFP National Media Team (02) 6131 6333
Customs and Border Protection Media – (02) 6275 6793
************************
Issued by NSW Police Media Unit (02) 8263 6100
Authorised by A/Com Dave Hudson, Det/Ch/Supt Ken McKay, SCC
(Ref: nw: p:meddocs/medrels/2010/July/SCC.Webland joint media release.130710)