Two men allegedly turn up to collect $17million cocaine haul at Sydney car park – only for it to go horribly wrong as the drugs had already been seized by police
Two men allegedly arrived at a Sydney car park to collect what they believed was a $17 million shipment of cocaine, only to discover the drugs had already been seized in Chile and replaced by police.
The delivery was part of an AFP sting operation, with investigators swapping the 23kg haul for an inert substance before transporting the replica packages to a Port Botany car park on Tuesday.
Police allege the two men, both 33, attempted to take possession of the packages before they were arrested.
The operation followed a tip-off from Chilean investigators, who allegedly uncovered an organised crime network planning to send cocaine to Australia aboard a commercial aircraft.
Officers seized the shipment before it reached Australia and shared intelligence with the AFP, setting the sting in motion.
Both men were charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug – an offence which carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
The men faced Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday and were both refused bail.
They are set to appear before Downing Centre Local Court on December 9.
Two men, both aged 33, have been arrested for an alleged global plot to import cocaine into Australia via a commercial aircraft
The operation followed a tip-off from investigators in Chile, South America, who allegedly uncovered an organised crime network planning to send cocaine to Australia
The investigation also led police to properties in Liverpool and Georges Hall, where officers seized about 5kg of MDMA, $8,000 in cash, scales, and about 10kg of a suspected drug-cutting agent.
Meanwhile, AFP investigators based in South America worked with Chilean police to execute search warrants in Chile.
Two other people, including a Bolivian national and an Argentinian national, were also arrested for their alleged involvement in the attempted cocaine importation plot.
The individuals have each been charged with drug trafficking and criminal association offences.
AFP Detective Superintendent Morgen Blunden said officers have been stationed in countries around the world to combat organised crime.
‘Organised crime is not confined by borders,’ Det-Supt Blunden said.
‘Our international network allows the AFP to identify and disrupt criminal ventures before illicit drugs reach Australian shores, often thousands of kilometres from Australia.
‘Every kilogram of cocaine prevented from reaching Australia helps protect our communities from the significant harm caused by illicit drugs, including addiction, violence and the exploitation that fuels organised crime.’
Both men were charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug
Two other people, including a Bolivian national and an Argentinian national, were also arrested for their alleged involvement in the attempted cocaine importation plot
The National Chief of Organised Crime (Jenaco) of the Chilean Investigative Police, Prefect Inspector Erick Menay, added the operation showed the importance of international police cooperation.
‘Through coordinated work with the AFP, we managed to dismantle an organisation dedicated to the shipment of cocaine from Chile to Australia,’ Inspector Menay said.
‘This investigative process also made it possible to identify methods of operation and financing through cryptocurrencies, reaffirming our commitment to the development of specialised investigations to pursue criminal organisations, regardless of the borders where they operate.’
