Police seize 645kg of MDMA from Cyprus in Sydney

·

More than half a tonne of the drug ecstasy has been seized in Sydney by police after a six-month operation spanning three countries.

The 645-kilogram cache of MDMA is alleged to have been sent to Australia from Cyprus and hidden inside 200 barbecues.

Two people in Sydney and Brisbane were arrested after multiple search warrants were executed yesterday in relation to the operation, AFP’s Commander of Organised Crime, Kirsty Schofield, told reporters.

The operation involved Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force, the Cyprus Drug Law Enforcement Unit and the United Kingdom National Crime Authority.

The AFP was alerted to the potential large scale importation of the drug by authorities in Cyprus and the cargo was intercepted by the Australian Border Force.

The MDMA found inside the barbecues was replaced with an “inert” substance as police investigated the alleged drug syndicate, the AFP said.A 30-year-old man from Coomera in Queensland was arrested at a Bondi Junction apartment in Sydney, and $100,000 in cash found inside the premises seized.

The APF will allege in court today that the man travelled to Sydney to remove the MDMA from inside in the barbecues and prepare it for further distribution.

The AFP also arrested a 33-year-old Canadian man in Brisbane last night.The man arrived in Australia last Tuesday and allegedly travelled to a Sydney warehouse to inspect the barbeques, the AFP said.

“We will allege in court that he was sent by the syndicate responsible for the MDMA to check on aspects of the importation,” Commander Schofield said.

The Canadian man will face court today with a view to extradite him to NSW to face charges.Commander Schofield said the seizure was a significant result for public safety.”

The size of this seizure and the amount of harm it could potentially have caused cannot be understated, and the Australian community is safer for it not being on our streets,” she said.

Sourced via 9 News.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Pope Francis dies aged 88 after 12 years leading the Catholic Church

Pope Francis has died aged 88. His papacy was marked by reform, humility, and efforts to modernise the Catholic Church.

Thousands join Archbishop Makarios of Australia for Resurrection Service in Sydney

Archbishop Makarios led the Holy Saturday Service in Kogarah, Sydney, with thousands of faithful attending the Easter celebration.

Greek Defence Minister Dendias visits Panagia Inousson for Easter

Defence Minister Dendias visits Panagia Inousson for Easter, highlighting Greece’s commitment to border security.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis reflects on faith and resilience in Easter message

Kyriakos Mitsotakis shares his 2025 Easter message, reflecting on global challenges and the enduring hope of the Resurrection.

Archbishop Makarios of Australia issues Easter Message for 2025

Archbishop Makarios of Australia has released his 2025 Easter message, reflecting on the impact of loneliness.

You May Also Like

Greek Consul General in Sydney meets with youth from Diaspora Symposium

The Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Ioannis Mallikourtis, recently met with participants from the 1st Greek Youth Diaspora Symposium.

2000-year-old Greek altar found in Sicily

A 2,000-year-old Greek altar was discovered at the archaeological site of Segesta on the island of Sicily, Italy on June 29. 

NSW records 112 new local COVID-19 cases, exposure sites grow

NSW has reported 112 new local coronavirus cases on Monday, another record daily total for Sydney’s growing coronavirus outbreak.