Joint drug operation-Seven men charged by MAST to import over 300kg of illicit drugs NSWPF and AFP

SF AULIC, Joint drug operation with NSWPF and AFP Seven men charged by MAST for allegedly using trusted insiders to import over 300kg of illicit drugs Tuesday, 03 June 2025 05:23:09 AM Seven men have been charged with drug importation offences following a Multi Agency Strike Team (MAST) investigation into trusted insiders importing illicit drugs into Sydney. The MAST is made up of 41 officers from the NSW Police Force, Australian Federal Police (AFP), Australian Border Force (ABF), NSW Crime Commission (NSWCC), Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC), Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) and the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). The MAST – using investigators and analysts from both Commonwealth and NSW law enforcement agencies – leverages the capabilities, resources and legislative powers to investigate and target trusted insiders who are assisting transnational serious organised crime syndicates impacting NSW. In September 2023, investigators established Strike Force Aulic to investigate the importation and supply of large quantities of prohibited drugs and illicit tobacco by a 42-year-old man and his associates, who were allegedly purporting to have the ability to circumvent border controls. It was further established the 42-year-old man was using a freight forwarding company in Punchbowl to facilitate the importation of these drugs. In July 2024, police located more than 280kg of liquid methamphetamine in an industrial cooler imported from Vancouver, Canada, allegedly organised by the 42-year-old man. On Monday 5 August 2024, two men, aged 43 and 31, were allegedly observed accessing the cooler and preparing to extract the liquid methamphetamine at a location in Riverstone. Police arrested the 43-year-old man at a fast-food restaurant in Londonderry about 7pm that evening. It was alleged he was involved in the preparation to extract the liquid methamphetamine. A subsequent search warrant was executed in Londonderry, where police located and seized gel blasters, a methamphetamine cookbook, and other items consistent with drug manufacture and supply. The 43-year-old was taken to Penrith Police Station, where he was charged with 17 offences, including attempted possession of a commercial quantity of an unlawful import: border controlled drug, 13 counts of possess unauthorised pistol, firearm etc found at premises-subject to prohibition order, and participate in a criminal group. He was refused bail and appeared in Penrith Local Court on Tuesday 6 August 2024.