Two accused Sydney drug importers will remain behind bars until at least the new year after the seizure of more than $100 million worth of cocaine hidden in aluminium bars allegedly sent by a Mexican cartel.
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Castle Hill-based UK national Balraj Attra, 61, and Auburn-based Mehboob Shah, 49, were on Tuesday arrested and charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug.
Police allege the 233kg of cocaine was disguised within almost 2000 alloy ingots packed on pallets seized by Border Force officials at the Sydney container examination facility in September.
Police say the two men were in line to play a key role in distributing the cocaine - enough for more than 1.1 million drug users.
Attra and Shah appeared at Central Local Court on Wednesday and did not apply for bail, which was formally refused.
They'll return to the court on January 15, 2020.
The drug shipment was significant and complex, Australian Federal Police Assistant Commander Brett James said.
"The method of concealment we have uncovered tells us this was an importation by a sophisticated, organised, transnational criminal syndicate who used industrial concealment techniques in an attempt to evade detection," he told reporters on Wednesday.
He says Australia presents an attractive market for drugs, as criminal gangs are willing to take the risk to get illegal substances into the country.
"The demand for drugs in Australia is adding fuel to this drug trade. Australians are willing to pay significantly higher prices, which makes us an attractive market to organised crime," he said.
Australian Associated Press
