A RUTHERFORD man has been charged with drug offences during a $140 million MDMA and cocaine bust, intercepted by law enforcement at the border.
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On May 7 a consignment declared to contain shampoo arrived in Sydney from Spain. The container was taken to the ABF's Sydney container examination facility for x-ray and officers noted inconsistencies.
During a subsequent deconstruction of the consignment, 49 boxes were found to contain bags of a brown crystalline substance and blocks of a white powder, with presumptive testing returning a positive indicator for MDMA and cocaine.
Forensic analysis determined the packages contained a total of 312 kilograms of cocaine, which has an estimated potential street value of $93.6 million, and 236 kilograms of MDMA, which has an estimated potential street value of $47.2 million.
Detectives established Strike Force Bresnahan to investigate the import.
Following extensive inquiries, strike force detectives executed seven search warrants at storage facilities in Cromer, Brookvale, Chatswood, Artarmon, and Macquarie Park on Monday where they seized items relevant to the investigation.
A 33-year-old Rutherford man was arrested outside a Cromer storage unit about 10am.
He was taken to Manly Police Station and charged with two counts of possess prohibited drug.
The Rutherford man was granted conditional bail to appear at Manly Local Court on Monday July 8, 2019.
Investigations under Strike Force Bresnahan continue.
Anyone with information about the importation of illicit drugs is encouraged to report it to the ABF's BorderWatch program by visiting australia.gov.au/borderwatch.
Anyone with information in relation to organised criminal activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au/
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