'Trusted' port insider's drug smuggling links

A SYDNEY man, alleged to be the coordinator of a network of “trusted insiders” at Australia’s cargo ports, has been charged by the Multi Agency Strike Team (MAST) in relation to several plots to import up to one tonne of illicit drugs.

The MAST — made up of investigators from the AFP and NSW Police Force (NSWPF) — works directly with a number of law enforcement partners.

The man, 29, was scheduled to appear before Liverpool Local Court on Friday (22 May).

In April 2025, the MAST established Strike Force Paiporta to target a criminal syndicate alleged to have members working inside Port Botany.

The 29-year-old came to the MAST’s attention after five alleged trusted insiders, who worked at Port Botany in different roles, were charged for their roles in a failed 506kg cocaine importation in August 2025.

MAST investigators seized their electronic devices, which were subjected to forensic examination.

Inquiries into encrypted communication applications on the devices led to the identification of a user who instructed trusted insiders operating in Port Botany to locate, possess or make attempts to possess illicit drugs imported in shipping containers and later stored at freight facilities.

MAST investigators allegedly identified the 29-year-old as the user of the encrypted applications instructing the trusted insiders.

It will be alleged the man paid trusted insiders at Port Botany up to $200,000 in cash, depending on their role, for accessing illicit drugs from shipping containers. This includes:

• 20kg of cocaine hidden inside a consignment declared as ‘mixed berries’ from Santiago, Chile, in February, 2025.
• 140kg of cocaine hidden inside a refrigerated consignment containing fresh flowers from Colombia in April, 2025.
• More than 120kg of illicit drugs concealed under the floorboards of a shipping container from Jamaica in June, 2025.
• 58kg of cocaine concealed within two black bags in a container from Chile in August, 2025.
• 506kg of cocaine from Europe concealed behind a false wall in August 2025.
• More than 35kg of cocaine hidden inside a motor housing container from South America in October, 2025.

Police will also allege the man coordinated the failed 506kg cocaine importation from August, 2025, while he was located in Victoria. The MAST continues to work with European law enforcement partners to identify other individuals involved.

AFP detective superintendent Peter Fogarty said trusted insider networks were calculated and coordinated, but they were outmatched by MAST investigators.

“The AFP and its MAST partners have successfully disrupted a trusted insider network and will continue to pursue those who enable the flow of harmful drugs into our community,” Det-Supt Fogarty said.

“Organised crime groups will look for any avenue to exploit Australia’s gateways, but the MAST is alive to their tactics, and ready to use bring these offenders before the courts.”