Taiwanese man jailed after importing more than 40kgs of meth
This is a joint media release between the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Border Force.
A Taiwanese national has been sentenced to 13 years behind bars, for his role in the importation of more than 40 kilograms of methamphetamine concealed in packaging equipment into NSW in 2015.
The 38-year-old man was sentenced to 13 years and 3 months’ imprisonment, with a non-parole period of 7 years and 1 month, after facing Sydney District Court on Friday 1 May 2020.
While his co-accused, a now 37-year-old Taiwanese man was previously sentenced in May 2018 to serve 13 years and 7 months with a non-parole period of 7 years and 6 months.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Australian Border Force (ABF) launched its investigation, known as Operation NIGHTBIRD, in September 2015. ABF officers detected a suspicious consignment containing metal rollers forming part of a packaging machine imported to Sydney from China.
The consignment was found to contain a total of 41.7 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine concealed within the metal rollers.
The AFP commenced a controlled delivery of the consignment to a Burwood storage facility before later executing a series of search warrants in Sydney including at a Broadway property.
Two men, both Taiwanese nationals, were arrested and charged with offences relating to the importation of a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug.
An additional 20 kilograms of methamphetamine was seized by the AFP at the Broadway property occupied by one of the men. In total, almost 61 kilograms of methamphetamine was seized.
Both men entered guilty pleas in relation to the matter before sentencing.
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.
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