A 33-year-old man allegedly involved in an international drug smuggling ring has been extradited from the United Arab Emirates to face court in Sydney.
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The man was arrested in the UAE after a cross-border investigation - dubbed Operation Veyda - led by the Australian Federal Police.
Police said the 33-year-old man was involved in an organised crime syndicate that was planning to import drugs into Australia inside cargo containers.
"The AFP maintains strong working relationships with international law enforcement partners to tackle transnational organised crime," AFP organised crime commander Kirsty Schofield said in a statement.
"We know the crippling effect illegal drugs - including MDMA, cocaine and crystal methamphetamine - have on our communities."
The 33-year-old man originally lived in western Sydney, the AFP said.
He has been charged with three counts of conspiracy to import a commercial quantity of border-controlled drugs and three counts of attempting to import a commercial quantity of border-controlled drugs.
He is scheduled to appear in Central Local Court on Thursday.
Ms Schofield said police wanted to create a "hostile environment" for drug smugglers.
Operation Veyda has since 2016 resulted in the arrest of 18 people, the seizure of almost two tonnes of narcotics and the dismantling of crime syndicates across Australia, Dubai and the Netherlands, according to the AFP.
Australian Associated Press
