A 30-year-old Greek man has been arrested for his alleged role in an importation of 34kg of methamphetamine to Sydney, with him being the fourth such individual linked to a drug cartel ring based in the UK arrested in relation to the ongoing investigation.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) revealed in a media release earlier this month they had caught the Greek national on 20 December at Birubi Beach in Anna Bay (roughly one hour north of Newcastle).
They said that the 30-year-old is alleged to have stored a car containing 37kg of methamphetamine (which had an estimated street value of $34 million) with the intention of delivering the vehicle and illicit drugs to an unknown person.
An arrest warrant was issued on 25 November this year for the Greek national, with him having allegedly run into the ocean in an attempt to evade AFP and NSW Police investigators before eventually being caught.
The man appeared in Parramatta Local Court on 21 December and was formally refused bail, with the matter listed for the same court on 20 February, 2025.
The AFP had begun an investigation in June into an organised crime syndicate suspected of importing drugs from the United Kingdom.
The 30-year-old is now the fourth Greek national charged by the AFP in relation to their investigation into the possession of the methamphetamine.
Two other individuals, aged 43 and 41, were arrested on 29 June and 1 October for allegedly removing the methamphetamine from an air cargo consignment located in the Sydney suburb of Earlwood and hiding the illicit drugs in a car.
They are remanded in custody and listed to return to Downing Centre Local Court on 19 February, 2025.
Another Greek national, 45, was arrested 20 November, 2024, as part of the investigation, and the AFP will allege he also helped store the vehicle containing the methamphetamine with the intention of delivering the vehicle and illicit drugs to an unknown person.
He has been remanded in custody and is listed to return to Downing Centre Local Court on 15 January, 2025.
AFP Detective Superintendent Kristie Cressy said these arrests highlights the AFP’s commitment to combatting drug trafficking.
“Let these arrests serve as a warning to criminal syndicates plotting attempts to bring illicit substances into our country – we are ready to act and disrupt your criminal activities, together with our law enforcement partners,” Det Supt Cressy said.
“The AFP is committed to targeting, identifying and disrupting any attempt to import harmful illicit substances into our country and we are dedicated to bringing those responsible to justice.”
