The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has dealt a significant blow to an organised crime enterprise by charging five men in connection with the importation of approximately 100kg of cocaine on a passenger plane from South Africa.
The five accused individuals appeared before Parramatta Local Court on Sunday and have been remanded in custody until their next court appearance on 30 November 2023.
The primary Australian facilitator, a 42-year-old man from Padstow, is alleged to have coordinated with international criminal figures to source the cocaine, arrange its placement on an aircraft, and organise its distribution within Australia.
A 62-year-old man from Hillsdale is accused of coordinating the activities of two airport employees, ensuring the successful removal of the cocaine from the aircraft and its delivery to an associate of the Padstow man.
The investigation revealed that a 55-year-old man from Mascot and a 61-year-old man from Coogee, both employed in freight handling operations at Sydney’s international airport, used their positions to facilitate the removal of five large bags containing cocaine from a cargo container. The bags were then handed over to a 24-year-old man from Sydney, acting on behalf of the Padstow man. All three individuals were apprehended shortly after the exchange on Saturday afternoon.
Upon inspection, each of the five bags found in the car contained approximately 20kg of cocaine. Forensic testing confirmed the substance’s identity.
Less than two hours later, the AFP arrested the Hillsdale man in Coogee. Subsequently, the Padstow man was apprehended in Rushcutter’s Bay later that same evening.
The AFP’s Operation Lucian commenced in October 2022 following a report from an airline regarding suspicious activity near the cargo area of a flight bound for Sydney from Johannesburg. Subsequent investigations identified the Mascot and Coogee men as being in close proximity to the inbound flight upon its arrival at Sydney Airport.
Over the course of a year-long investigation, the AFP received valuable assistance from the airline, Sydney Airport Corporation, and Australian Border Force.
The three individuals arrested near the airport were charged with importing and possessing a commercial quantity of cocaine. These offences carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. The Padstow and Hillsdale men were both charged with conspiracy to import a commercial quantity of cocaine, with the same maximum penalty.
During the operation, the AFP executed four search warrants at residences in Coogee, Mascot, and Hillsdale, leading to the seizure of a small quantity of drugs and several electronic devices.
Detective Superintendent Kristie Cressy of the AFP emphasised the commitment to targeting and disrupting organised crime syndicates that threaten Australia’s national security, economy, and social well-being. She underlined the significance of corruption attempts within airport operations, stating that transnational organised crime groups actively seek to exploit individuals working in these environments to facilitate drug importations.
Cressy further noted that the AFP, along with airport operators, airlines, and service providers, consider cases like this a priority due to the potential damage such corruption can cause to communities and businesses. She warned that the AFP will continue to investigate and prosecute those who abuse positions of trust to assist and profit from organised crime.
The estimated street value of the seized cocaine haul is approximately $40 million, equivalent to 100,000 individual street deals.
