TWO members of an international criminal syndicate arrested in 2017 for importing more than 90 kilograms of cocaine into Victoria have been sentenced to a combined 31 years in prison.

They were two of seven men arrested in Melbourne in June 2017 for their role in importing 92 kilograms of cocaine and conspiring to import a further 100 kilograms of cocaine from Panama. A further three people were arrested for money laundering within the syndicate.

The cocaine arrived in a container from Panama via sea cargo vessel into the Port of Melbourne on 26 June 2017.

The container was taken to the Australian Border Force’s (ABF’s) container examination facility, where ABF officers detected the cocaine was found concealed in three black duffle bags packed loosely in the container. Inside each of the bags were 26 blocks of cocaine.

Following the seizure, tactical officers from the Australian Federal Police and Victoria Police executed search warrants across Melbourne.

Seven men were arrested at various locations and charged with a number of offences related to the importation and attempted possession of the cocaine, as well as money laundering offences.

On 19 January 2022, the final two syndicate members, 34-year-old men from Canada have been sentenced.

A 34-year-old Canadian national was found guilty of two charges of conspiracy to import a commercial quantity of border-controlled drugs in the Melbourne County Court and sentenced to a maximum of 14 years imprisonment, with a non-parole period of 10 years and four months.

A second Canadian national, also aged 34 years old, was found guilty of two charges of conspiracy to import a commercial quantity of border-controlled drugs and sentenced to 17 years imprisonment, with a non-parole period of 12 years. He had also previously forfeited a 2016 Honda CRV Wagon under proceeds of crime action.

The combined terms of imprisonment imposed by the courts from this investigation was 98 years.

ABF assistant commissioner Phil Brezzo said the successful prosecutions were the result of exceptional investigative work, and joint agency collaboration both in Australia and across the globe.

“It is immensely satisfying to see ABF officers play such a key role in delivering justice to those involved in this major organised crime syndicate targeting Australians,” he said.