CANBERRA, ACT, April 16 -- Australian Federal Police issued the following media release:

Editor's note: Image of droneavailable via Hightail

A Sydney man was fined $8000 by Downing Centre Local Court this week (14 April, 2026) after operating a drone over critical infrastructure in Port Botany.

Investigations began when AFP officers observed an unmanned drone flying in the Port Botany area on 15 January, 2026.

The AFP searched the area and located a Canley Heights man, 26, in a nearby cemetery. He was found in possession of the drone, which he had concealed under his jacket, a handheld controller and a black mobile phone.

AFP officers also searched the man's vehicle and located an additional drone controller, a mobile phone, and multiple spare batteries consistent with drone operation.

A review of the drone's flightpath revealed it flew over logistics firms, critical infrastructure and within a 5.5km radius of Sydney Airport.

The man was subsequently charged and plead guilty on 24 March, 2026, to the following offences:

* One count of operating an unmanned aircraft above 400ft AGL without approval, contrary to section 101.085(1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (Cth);* One count of failing to operate unmanned aircraft within visual line of sight, contrary to section 101.073(1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (Cth);* One count of operating a model aircraft too low over populous area, contrary to section 101.395(1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998(Cth); and* One count of operating an unmanned aircraft in a controlled airspace above 400ft AGL without approval, contrary to section 101.070(1)(a) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998(Cth).

AFP Detective Acting Inspector Amy Knox said operating drones over critical infrastructure and restricted airspace was a risk to public safety and posed a security threat.

"Airports and freight facilities are populous areas that house critical infrastructure and facilitate the movement of people and cargo essential to national supply chains," Det a/Insp Knox said.

"It is your responsibility to know where you can and can't operate a drone, if they need to be licensed, and the dangers of flying drones near controlled airspace.

"For more information about drone safety, visit knowyourdrone.gov.au."

Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.