A man from Sydney has appeared in court following allegations of attempting to smuggle over 200 kilograms of methamphetamine concealed within floor tiles imported from South East Asia. The case came to light when officers from the Australian Border Force (ABF) discovered ten sealed, plastic-wrapped bags containing a crystal-like substance within a shipment of granite tiles on April 22, 2025. These tiles were found to have cavities packed with the illicit substance.
Subsequent tests confirmed the presence of methamphetamine, while additional packages indicated the presence of heroin, with the total haul comprising 215 kilograms of meth and 3 kilograms of heroin. The ABF promptly notified the Australian Federal Police (AFP), which took charge of the ongoing investigation.
As part of this operation, AFP officers carried out searches at various locations, including a business in Shell Cove on May 6. Further raids followed at a business in Llandilo and a residence in Drummoyne, resulting in the arrest of a 57-year-old man. He now faces two charges for importing a border-controlled drug. The accused appeared at Downing Centre Local Court to respond to the charges.