CANBERRA, ACT, June 17 -- Australian Federal Police issued the following media release:
This is a joint media release between the Australian Federal Police and Australian Border Force
Editor's note: Arrest vision and images available via Hightail
A Northern Beaches man is expected to appear before the NSW Bail Division Courts today (17 June, 2026), over his alleged role in a ketamine importation from the Netherlands.
Investigations began in April 2026, after Australian Border Force (ABF) officers in Sydney targeted a shipment from the Netherlands declared as transporting personal protective equipment.
ABF analysis of the consignment identified a plastic bag containing a white crystal-like substance, with testing returning a positive result for an estimated 20kg of ketamine.
AFP investigators seized the ketamine for examination, before further investigations led police to a storage unit in Marrickville.
It is alleged the man, 49, was responsible for renting a storage unit in Marrickville, which was to be the delivery address for the prohibited drug.
A search warrant was executed in the Northern Beaches suburb of Warriewood on 16 June, 2026, where investigators seized electronic devices for further forensic examination.
The Warriewood man was charged with one count of attempting to possess a commercial quantity of border-controlled drugs, namely ketamine, contrary to section 307.5 of the Criminal Code (Cth).
He faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment if convicted.
AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Trevor Robinson said ketamine was dangerous when misused as a recreational substance and had dissociative impacts on users.
"Ketamine is a dangerous substance that is not meant for human consumption. It can cause memory loss, feelings of detachment from one's body, slowed breathing and the inability to perceive dangers," Det a/Supt Robinson said.
"If combined with alcohol and other drugs, ketamine can be fatal to users.
"The AFP will continue to chase every lead to ensure criminal syndicates attempting to import harmful drugs into our community are targeted, disrupted and brought before the courts."
ABF Superintendent Asha Patwardhan said ABF officers remained vigilant in detecting illicit drug importations at the border.
"ABF officers are highly skilled at identifying suspicious consignments and will continue to target and disrupt attempts to import dangerous drugs into Australia," Supt Patwardhan said.
"Ketamine is rapidly emerging as a drug of serious concern, with increasing seizures highlighting its growing presence and popularity in the Australian illicit drug market.
"This detection and result demonstrate the effectiveness of our border screening capabilities and the strong collaboration between the ABF and AFP to prevent harm to the Australian community."
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.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
