Media Release
Further arrests over failed Sydney ketamine importation plot
This is a joint release between Australian Federal Police and Australian Border Force
Editor’s note: Images of the seized ketamine is available via Hightail
An additional two men have been charged for their alleged roles in the importation of 45kg of ketamine – worth $9.5 million on the black market – concealed in car parts sent from Germany.
Both men, aged 25, appeared before the NSW Bail Division of the Local Court today (29 August, 2025). They were formally refused bail to appear before the same court on 22 October, 2025.
Australian Border Force (ABF) officers identified and intercepted the shipment of car drive shafts following the consignment’s arrival in Sydney. About 45kg of ketamine was found hidden inside 66 car drive shafts.
The AFP launched an investigation on 14 August, 2025. AFP officers removed the ketamine and undertook a controlled delivery of the car parts to an address in the western Sydney suburb of Merrylands on Wednesday, 26 August, 2025.
As a result of police inquiries two men, aged 45 and 27, were charged later Wednesday evening with:
- One count of attempting to import a commercial quantity of an unlawfully imported border controlled drug, contrary to section 307.1 of the Criminal Code (Cth); and
- One count of attempting to possess a commercial quantity of an unlawfully imported border controlled drug, contrary to section 307.5 of the Criminal Code (Cth).
Both offences carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. The men appeared before NSW Bail Division Court on 27 August, 2025, and were refused bail. They will return to the same court on a later date.
It will be alleged the men worked together to collect the shipment and remove the ketamine.
AFP officers continued their investigation and charged two men yesterday (28 August, 2025) for their alleged roles in the importation.
It will be alleged a man, 25, communicated with a logistics company to facilitate the collection of the car drive shafts and made efforts to conceal his identity. The man, who is allegedly an unlawful non-citizen, has been charged with:
- One count of attempting import a commercial quantity of an unlawfully imported border controlled drug, contrary to section 307.1 of the Criminal Code (Cth). This offence carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
The AFP will allege another man, aged 25, organised for a mobile phone linked to the ketamine importation to be destroyed. The damaged device was found by AFP officers at a nearby park on 29 August, 2025. He has been charged with:
- One count of destroying evidence, contrary to section 39 of the Crimes Act (Cth). This offence carries a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment.
AFP Detective Superintendent Morgen Blunden said the further arrests demonstrated the AFP’s commitment to combat transnational organised crime and illicit drug trafficking.
“The people behind importations like this have no regard for the harm and damage that illicit drugs wreak on the Australian community,” Det Supt Blunden said.
“Ketamine is commonly a horse tranquiliser, but its consumption by people causes harm not just to the user, but also their loved ones and the wider community. This amount could have resulted in more than one million individual street deals.
“The AFP is committed to dismantling criminal enterprises which attempt to import illicit drugs, and this investigation is a prime example of how we work to identify all those allegedly involved and bring them before the courts.”
ABF Superintendent Asha Patwardhan said the continued efforts of the ABF and law enforcement to identify and stop criminal syndicates was essential to protecting the community from harm.
“The collaboration between ABF and the AFP is critical to stem the flow of illicit drugs into our country. We must rely on information sharing and partnerships to effectively disrupt the criminal business model at its core,” Supt Patwardhan said.
“There are multiple alleged players in a criminal syndicate whose aim is to exploit Australia’s border controls, however ABF officers work 24/7 to monitor and protect our border.”
Note to media:
Media are encouraged to include help-seeking information in stories about illicit drugs to minimise any negative impact on people in the community. The following services provide people with access to support and information.
- For free and confidential advice about alcohol and other drug treatment services call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015.
- Access free 24/7 drug and alcohol counselling online.
- For information about drug and alcohol addiction treatment or support, go to the Turning Point website.
