Sydney Drug Bust: Seven Arrested in Major Illicit Importation Case

Sydney Drug Bust: Seven Arrested in Major Illicit Importation Case Sydney, Australia – In a major crackdown on illicit drug and tobacco importation, Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers arrested seven men, including two Canadian nationals, on a range of charges. The arrests culminated a 21-month investigation, codenamed Strike Force Aulic, which began in September 2023. The operation uncovered a sophisticated network allegedly smuggling large quantities of illegal substances into Sydney. One key moment in the investigation involved the discovery of 280 kilograms of liquid methamphetamine hidden inside an industrial cooler imported from Vancouver, Canada. "The sheer volume of drugs involved is alarming," stated an AFP spokesperson, highlighting the potential harm these substances could have caused on Australian streets. Further investigation revealed that a 42-year-old man allegedly used freight forwarding companies to import three separate shipments containing a staggering 20 million cigarettes from the United Arab Emirates. This demonstrates the scale of the operation and the determination of the criminals to evade detection. In August 2024, two men, aged 43 and 31, were intercepted while attempting to extract the drugs from the cooler in Riverstone. In May 2025, investigators allege the main suspect was planning to import 50kg of cocaine concealed in cement bags from Panama. In total, 243 boxes of tobacco were also found in storage facilities. The successful conclusion of Strike Force Aulic sends a clear message: the AFP is committed to disrupting organized crime and protecting the Australian community from the devastating effects of illicit drugs and tobacco.