Sydney man sentenced over $70 million drug shipment from China

A Sydney man has been sentenced for importing 233kg of methamphetamine hidden in construction equipment with an estimated street value of $70 million.

The 37-year-old was sentenced to eight years and three months imprisonment with a non-parole period of five years and nine months at Downing Centre District Court this week, after he was found guilty by a jury in April this year.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) said border officers inspected 10 boxes containing structural supports back in 2022, which had been exported from China.

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"Further examination of the structural supports revealed a white powdered substance secreted inside," the AFP said.

"Presumptive testing indicated the presence of methamphetamine, and the matter was referred to the AFP."

AFP investigators seized the consignment, deconstructed the structural supports and found the 233kg of methamphetamine.

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Following a two-month investigation, the AFP searched the the man's home at Auburn in June 2022, where he was arrested and charged.

The man was found guilty by a jury of importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug.

AFP detective superintendent Peter Fogarty said methamphetamine was an extremely addictive illicit drug that caused widespread harm.

"Australia remains an attractive market for criminals seeking to import drugs, but the AFP is relentless in dismantling the syndicates behind the importations, wherever in the world they may be," Fogarty said.

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