Man arrested in the carpark of Maroubra Surf Club over an alleged attempt to collect 60kg of meth
A man has been arrested in the car park of the Maroubra Surf Club in Sydney’s east after an alleged attempt to pick up 60kg of methamphetamine worth more than $50 million.
Richard Prothero, 36, will appear at Downing Center Local Court on Wednesday to face charges in connection with the attempted importation of a commercial quantity of methamphetamine.
In September, US authorities intercepted a shipment containing 95 kg of methamphetamine from Los Angeles, destined for Australia.
The drugs were removed before the shipment left the US, but a joint operation with the Australian Federal Police followed the delivery in Sydney.
The AFP arranged for replacement 60kg packs to be placed in a vehicle in the Maroubra Surf Club car park.
Although the replacement packages did not contain drugs and were harmless, the street value of that quantity of methamphetamine would have been $55 million.
On Tuesday morning, a man was reportedly seen taking a key from under the bumper of the vehicle before getting inside and starting the engine.
The man, from Liverpool in Sydney’s south-west, was then attacked by police officers and arrested.
A man has been arrested (pictured) in the car park of the Maroubra Surf Club in Sydney’s east after an alleged attempt to pick up 60kg of methamphetamine worth more than $50 million
In September, US authorities intercepted a shipment containing 95kg of methamphetamine bound for Australia from Los Angeles.
A search for another vehicle led to the discovery of approximately $100,000 in cash, prepaid SIM cards, a phone and an iPad.
A search of Prothero’s home led to the discovery of small amounts of drugs and a camera system.
He has been charged with attempted possession of a commercial quantity of border-controlled drugs, a crime that carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
AFP Inspector Kristie Cressy said 60kg of methamphetamine could have been distributed across about 600,000 street deals.
A search for another vehicle led to the discovery of approximately $100,000 in cash (pictured), prepaid SIM cards, a phone and an iPad
“Methamphetamine, like all illicit drugs, causes psychological, financial and social harm to users, their loved ones and the wider community,” Ms Cressy said.
‘Criminals don’t care about the damage they cause, they are motivated by the profit they can make.
“Across Australia, there were 10,100 methamphetamine-related hospital admissions in 2021-2022 – an average of more than 27 per day.”
Ms Cressy added: ‘This has an impact on the healthcare system that could negatively impact the whole community.
“Investigations like this demonstrate the determination and ruthlessness of our investigators to make Australia a hostile environment for organized crime.”