Media Release
Man charged after AFP seizes allegedly cloned number plates and drug manufacturing equipment in Sydney
Editor’s note: Arrest vision and images available via Hightail
A 36-year-old Sydney man is expected to appear before the NSW Bail Division Court today (17 September, 2026) charged with multiple fraud and drug-related offences.
AFP investigators arrested the man at a hotel in Darling Harbour about 6.15am yesterday (16 September 2026).
The AFP subsequently executed a search warrant on a vehicle parked at the hotel. Investigators located and seized a mobile phone and six allegedly fraudulent NSW driver licences.
Investigators also allegedly located a sophisticated hide behind the glovebox of the vehicle containing $6000 cash, which was seized.
AFP investigators later executed a search warrant at a home in Monterey, in Sydney's south, where they allegedly located and seized:
- Multiple blank identification cards;
- Cloned NSW and Victorian number plates;
- An identification document press machine;
- A hydraulic press bearing suspected cocaine block stamps and residue; and
- Drug manufacturing equipment.
The man was charged with:
- One count of failing to comply with a requirement to provide information under section 3LA(6) of the Crimes Act 1914 (Cth). This offence carries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment;
- One count of dealing in proceeds of crime, contrary to section 400.7 of the Criminal Code (Cth);
- One count of making or possessing equipment for making false documents, contrary to section 256 of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW);
- One count of producing a document to another person, knowing the document is false, contrary to section 307C of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW);
- One count of possessing precursors and apparatus for the manufacture or production of prohibited drugs, contrary to section 24A of the Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act 1985 (NSW).
The man was refused police bail and is expected to appear before the NSW Bail Division Court today (17 September 2026).
