Sydney Airport worker’s shocking $450,000 act – and the stunning discovery in the boot of his car
- Airport employee sold stolen electronics
- He was sentenced to prison
A former Sydney airport worker made almost half a million dollars selling electronics stolen from cargo while he worked as a cargo handler.
The 38-year-old man has been jailed for three years and four months after pleading guilty to a string of offenses including dealing with the proceeds of crime.
In a statement on the sentencing, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) said the man became a potential suspect after reports of theft at the airport in February 2022.
AFP officers executed a search warrant at the man’s home in Green Valley, northwest of Liverpool, in May 2022.
Agents have seized up to $50,000 worth of smartphones, smartwatches and tablets.
A former Sydney Airport worker made almost half a million dollars selling electronics stolen from cargo while he worked as a cargo handler (stock image)
Police discovered that the man had sold, donated or kept a number of electronic devices for personal use, which he had stolen from an air cargo container that he had access to in his role as a cargo handler.
The AFP later found $189,000 cash in the trunk of the airport worker’s car and discovered that $261,000 had been transferred to his personal bank accounts.
The man had generated a total of $450,000 in proceeds from the sale of stolen electronic devices.
He was soon arrested and charged with receiving stolen property and knowingly dealing with proceeds of crime.
The man’s 45-year-old partner was also arrested and charged with two counts of dealing with money or other property reasonably suspected of being proceeds of crime less than $100,000.
Both pleaded guilty in December last year, with the woman sentenced to 70 hours of community service.
Up to $50,000 worth of smartphones, smartwatches and tablets were seized by officers (image)
At the end of May, the man was sentenced to three years and four months in prison, of which two years was non-paroleable.
AFP Sydney Airport Police Commander Morgen Blunden said the AFP would not hesitate to catch criminals at the airport.
“People with trusted access to an airport area are critical to the successful operation of Australia’s tourism and commercial industries, but the AFP will not hesitate to investigate and prosecute those who abuse this trust,” said Det. said Supt Blunden.
“Criminals are motivated by profit and greed, and the AFP will not tolerate those who abuse their access to airside operations for their illegal activities.”