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A second man is expected to face Downing Centre Local Court today (18 December, 2024) charged for his alleged role in orchestrating the importation of 237kg of MDMA. 

The AFP arrested the man, 39, at his Wetherill Park business yesterday (17 December, 2024) after he was linked to the 2023 MDMA importation, which had an estimated street value of $13 million. In November, 2024, the AFP charged the man’s brother, 47, for his alleged role in the importation. 

The AFP investigation, named Operation Casarabe, began in November, 2023, after Australian Border Force (ABF) officers conducted a routine inspection of a shipping container on arrival to Australia from Germany. 

An examination of the shipment, purporting to be new car parts, revealed 237kg of MDMA concealed within 12 boxes of the consignment. 

The ABF alerted the AFP, with investigators removing the illicit drugs before the consignment was released for delivery under police surveillance. 

The consignment was delivered to a western Sydney logistics facility in November, 2023, on behalf of a company allegedly administered by the older brother.  

Following the 47-year-old man’s arrest, AFP investigators executed a search warrant at his Meadowbank home and seized electronic devices. The AFP will allege a forensic examination of the seized devices linked his brother, 39, to the 2023 MDMA importation.  

Messages uncovered by AFP investigators on the 39-year-old man’s phone allegedly indicated he was aware of an AFP search warrant executed on his older brother’s industrial property in May, 2024. 

On 27 November, 2024, four search warrants were executed at properties in Fairfield, Mount Druitt and Doonside, where investigators located and seized three electronic devices and a piece of paper allegedly containing a crypto seed phrase. 

On Tuesday, 17 December, 2024, AFP investigators arrested the 39-year-old at Wetherill Park, NSW He was subsequently charged with:  

• One count of importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, namely MDMA, contrary to section 307.1(1) by virtue of section 11.1(1) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth); and  

• One count of possess a dedicated encrypted criminal communication device, contrary to subsection 192P (1) of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW). 

AFP Detective Inspector Stuart Millen said the AFP remained relentless in the pursuit of all members of this criminal syndicate.  

“The lengths this family duo allegedly went through to orchestrate this shipment shows the extreme measures criminal groups will undertake to try and evade law enforcement,” Det Insp Millen said. 

"Criminals do not care about the harm they cause, and our investigative teams are resolute in bringing those responsible before the courts.”  

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.