Two Chinese nationals and a Sydney man have been charged over a failed attempt to import more than half a tonne of illicit drugs into Australia in 2024.
The three men are alleged to have been involved in the importation of 421 kg of MDMA pills, 120 kg blocks of an illicit suspected substance called “pink cocaine,” and 80 kg of methamphetamine, all in a consignment sent from Italy.
“Pink cocaine” is not actually cocaine but a mixture of MDMA and ketamine.
Another two Chinese nationals have been charged with possessing precursor chemicals used in drug manufacturing. All five men were arrested in Sydney on Jan. 15.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Australian Border Force (ABF) launched a joint investigation in July after ABF officers discovered MDMA and methamphetamine in a consignment of galvanised hooks that arrived at the Port of Melbourne.
The AFP replaced them with an inert substance and delivered the container to an address in Brooklyn, Victoria, before being transported to a storage facility in Auburn, Sydney.
The MDMA pills had an estimated street value of about $26 million and could have been sold as one million street deals, according to the AFP.
The methamphetamine was worth close to $74 million and could have been sold as up to 800,000 street deals.
While the Australian market for Tusi or “pink cocaine,” is not well established, wholesale prices range between $100,000 and $140,000 per kilogram.
If sold on the street, the drug cocktail could have had a potential street value of up to $16.8 million.
The two Chinese nationals, aged 39 and 32, and a Sydney man, 34, linked to the 621 kg, faced Downing Centre Local Court on Jan. 16, including two counts of importing a border-controlled drug and two counts of attempting to possess a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs.
The maximum penalty for these charges is life imprisonment.
The two other men, aged 50 and 58 and from Auburn also faced court charged with one count of possessing a precursor intended for use in the manufacture or production of a prohibited drug.
The 58-year-old was also charged with one count of contravening an order requiring people subject to a search warrant to assist police in accessing computers and similar electronic devices.
The maximum penalty for that offence is 10 years imprisonment.
AFP Commander Raegan Stewart emphasised the severity of the operation.
“Importing nearly half a tonne of MDMA into Australia is a significant criminal endeavour and demonstrates the insatiable appetite for illicit drugs in our country, and the lucrative market through which organised criminals seek to earn significant profit,” he said.
They were pleased to have prevented more than 600 kg of illicit drugs and another 150 kg of precursor chemicals, commonly used in the manufacture of methamphetamine, from reaching the Australian community.
“Criminals importing illicit drugs on an industrial scale are ruining thousands of lives and helping destroy communities and families across Australia,” he added.
“MDMA tablets often contain substantially different amounts of MDMA, as well as other harmful substances within the same batch, which may lead to overdose or even death.
“People consuming illicit drugs might not care that they are putting their health at risk, but they need to be aware they are effectively financing violent and exploitative organised crime groups.”
ABF Acting Commander Fiona Strong praised officers for their detection efforts.
“ABF officers are highly skilled and equipped with technology and capabilities that enable the detection of even the slightest trace of these drugs,” she said.
“On this occasion, officers noticed an anomaly between the consignment and the purported description of goods, and upon further inspection discovered the illicit drugs.
“These criminals are relentless, however. Our commitment to seizing dangerous illicit substances, and prosecuting those who attempt to bring them into our country, remains an absolute priority.”
