More than $155 million worth of ice and cocaine seized from inside vintage Bentley

Criminal Groups Squad detectives have charged four people over their alleged roles in the importation of more than $155 million of illicit drugs, which were located inside a vintage Bentley from overseas.

​Acting on intelligence, Australian Border Force (ABF) officers examined a shipping container consignment, which arrived via sea cargo into Port Botany from Canada earlier this month.

The container, which was declared to contain a 1960 vintage Bentley S2, underwent an X-ray and examination, which identified anomalies.

Further examinations of the Bentley revealed a large quantity of methylamphetamine concealed behind the headlights of the vehicle.

The matter was referred to the NSW Police Force and the vehicle was subsequently partially dismantled by specialist police, during which a total of 161kg of methylamphetamine and 30kg of cocaine was located.

Detectives from the State Crime Command’s Criminal Groups Squad – with assistance from ABF officers, Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) – established Strike Force Chime to investigate the import.

Following extensive inquiries, strike force detectives, assisted by the Public Order and Riot Squad and Mount Druitt Police Area Command, executed a search warrant at a home at Rooty Hill, about 3.30pm yesterday (Thursday 25 August 2022).

During the search, police seized the Bentley and a Ford Focus, along with mobile phones and a computer.

A number of tools, including an angle grinder, were forensically examined at the scene.

Two men – aged 22 and 23 – were arrested and taken to Mt Druitt Police Station.

The 23-year-old Rooty Hill man was charged with seven offences, including import commercial quantity border-controlled drug, deal with property proceeds of crime, large commercial drug supply, and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.

The 22-year-old Botany man was charged with six offences, including import commercial quantity border-controlled drug, large commercial drug supply, deal with property proceeds of crime, and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.

They have been refused bail to appear at Mt Druitt Local Court today (Friday 26 August 2022).

Following further inquiries, officers attached to the Far North Traffic and Highway Patrol and Richmond Police District Drug Unit stopped a Toyota Prado on M1 at Ballina about 2.30pm yesterday.

During a search of the vehicle, 2.2kg of methylamphetamine and more than $1.1 million cash were located hidden beneath the cargo area, with a male driver and a female passenger – both aged 25 – arrested and taken to Ballina Police Station.

The 25-year-old Homebush West man was charged with eight offences, including import commercial quantity border-controlled drug, large commercial drug supply, deal with property proceeds of crime, and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.

The 25-year-old Plumpton woman was charged with participate criminal group contribute criminal activity and deal with property proceeds of crime.

Both were refused bail to appear at Ballina Local Court today.

In total, the drugs have an estimated potential street value of approximately $155 million.