19 September 2023, 4:23pm
Media Release
Hundreds of warrants executed across the country as part of national focus on methamphetamine
Editor’s note: Vision of the arrest is available via Hightail.
The AFP has arrested a man and helped prevent 54kg kilograms of methamphetamine from hitting Australian streets as part of a nationally-coordinated week of action targeting methamphetamine importations.
The AFP executed 22 search warrants in five states across Australian as part of a week of action targeting illicit drugs as part of Operation Vitreus, a joint initiative that includes representatives from all Australian police agencies, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) and Australian Border Force (ABF).
AFP Detective Superintendent Anthony Conway said the demand for methamphetamine in Australia remained high, despite the known health and social harms.
“The impacts of illicit drugs, including methamphetamine, don’t stop with users, they can also be felt in hospital admissions, assaults on healthcare and other frontline workers, as well as traffic incidents where people have been driving under the influence of drugs,” Det. Supt. Conway said.
“The demand for this insidious drug in Australia has led organised crime groups to actively target Australia because they feel they can turn a significant profit, while not caring at all about the real and tragic consequences they inflict on our communities.”
The AFP arrested a Mexican national, 20, in Sydney in connection to six kilograms of methamphetamine found concealed in voltage converters by US Customs authorities. A further four consignments linked to the man were also found, totaling approximately 30 kilograms.
Police will allege the man travelled to Australia for the sole purpose of taking delivery of the methamphetamine.
He was arrested at a temporary residence in the inner-west suburb of Drummonyne on 10 October and charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled substance, contrary to section 307.5(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth). He is due to appear before Downing Centre Local Court on 1 November 2023.
AFP Detective Superintendent Anthony Conway said the AFP was committed to using its well-established links with overseas law enforcement partners to target imports of methamphetamine in source or transit countries.
“The AFP can achieve maximum damage to organised crime groups by working with our partners to stop drugs from ever reaching Australian shores, and then disrupting the Australian arm of these syndicates,” he said.
“Reducing illicit drug availability and accessibility in Australia is a key aspect of the AFP’s drug strategy. We will use all available intelligence, tools and partnerships to prevent drugs from hitting our streets.”
Note to media:
Media are encouraged to include help-seeking information in stories about illicit drugs to minimise any negative impact on people in the community. The following services provide people with access to support and information.
- For free and confidential advice about alcohol and other drug treatment services call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015.
- Access free 24/7 drug and alcohol counselling online at www.counsellingonline.org.au.
- For information about drug and alcohol addiction treatment or support, go to www.turningpoint.org.au.
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