Two charged after shipment containing more than $80 million worth of liquid ‘meth’ seized

Detectives have charged two men as part of an ongoing joint investigation into the alleged importation of more than $80 million worth of liquid methylamphetamine concealed in water bottles.

In March this year, detectives from the State Crime Command’s Drug and Firearms Squad established Strike Force Cassea to investigate the importation of illicit drugs into NSW.

Acting on information from the NSW Police Force, officers from Australian Border Force (ABF) and Australian Federal Police (AFP) targeted a shipment which arrived in Sydney from Iran earlier this month.

The consignment – which was declared to contain bottled water – was examined at the Sydney Container Examination Facility by ABF officers, who noted inconsistencies.

During a subsequent deconstruction, it was found to contain nearly 160L of a clear liquid concealed within the items.

The liquid was tested and returned a presumptive positive result for methylamphetamine, which has an estimated potential street value of more than $80 million.

Strike Force Cassea investigators, with assistance from ABF and AFP, seized the consignment and conducted a controlled delivery.

Following extensive inquiries, strike force investigators, with assistance from Bass Hill Region Enforcement Squad (RES), arrested two men – aged 48 and 33 – at a business at Old Guildford just after 10.30am yesterday (Thursday 23 April 2020).

Shortly after the arrests, detectives executed three search warrants at the Old Guilford business and two homes at Pemulway and Greystanes. 

A number of items relevant to the investigation were seized.

The men were taken to Fairfield Police Station and both charged with import commercial quantity of border controlled drug, possess commercial quantity of unlawful import (border controlled drug), and supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity).

Police will allege in court that the men were involved in the importation of methylamphetamine and accessed the consignment at Old Guilford.