Three men charged for importing meth in machinery

Three men are scheduled to appear at Sydney Central Local Court today charged with importing 10 kilograms of methamphetamine hidden in machinery. The men were arrested by Australian Federal Police (AFP) members in Sydney yesterday (15 May) after officers conducted a controlled delivery to a hotel in Darlinghurst. A 26-year-old Australian man was arrested at the hotel after taking possession of the consignment. Shortly after, AFP officers located and arrested a 32-year-old Canadian man and a 47-year-old Spanish man in relation to the consignment. The 47-year-old Spanish man attempted to flee before being taken into custody.

The investigation began on 17 April 2014 when Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS) officers conducted an examination of a consignment originating from Mexico. The consignment contained a large metal machine. Several welds on the base of the machine were opened to reveal a concealment of foil bags. Contained within the foil bags was a white crystalline substance which tested positive to methamphetamine, with an estimated weight of 10 kilograms. All three men were charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to section 307.5 of the Criminal Code Act 1995, by virtue of section 11.1.

The maximum penalty for this offence is life imprisonment, or a fine of $1,275,000, or both.

The 47-year-old Spanish man was also charged with escaping, contrary to section 47(1) of the Crimes Act 1914.

All three men will face Sydney Central Local Court today (Friday 16 May 2014).