Last Sunday (25 April 2021), officers from the Australian Border Force (ABF) identified a consignment which arrived in Sydney from the United Kingdom.
The air cargo consignment – which was declared to contain two clay blocks – was examined by ABF officers, who noted inconsistencies.
During a subsequent deconstruction, the consignment was found to contain 9kg of compacted white powder within the items.
The powder was tested and returned a presumptive positive result for cocaine, which has an estimated potential street value of $2.7 million.
Inquiries were subsequently commenced by detectives from the State Crime Command's Organised Crime Squad under Strike Force Ortella.
Detectives were also assisted throughout the investigation by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and NSW Crime Commission (NSWCC).
Following extensive investigations, detectives, with assistance from the Public Order and Riot Squad (PORS) and AFP officers, arrested a 23-year-old man at Chertsey Avenue, Bankstown, just before 7pm yesterday (Wednesday 28 April 2021).
A search warrant was subsequently executed at a home on Cherstey Avenue, where officers seized documentation and a Holden HSV Commodore – believed to be stolen.
The man was taken to Bankstown Police Station and charged with possess commercial quantity suspect illegal import border control drug.
The Bankstown man was refused bail and is due to appear at Bankstown Local Court today (Thursday 29 April 2021).
Investigations are continuing.