KEY POINTS:
SYDNEY - A top criminal investigator with the NSW Crime Commission could face life imprisonment over an alleged multi-million dollar international drug syndicate.
Mark Standen, 51, an assistant director with the commission and ex-federal police officer, will face Central Local Court today after being charged with conspiring to import 600kg of pseudoephedrine to be illegally used to manufacture the drug Ice.
He was arrested yesterday at his Sydney CBD office by the Australian Federal Police (AFP).
A second Sydney man, 45, was also arrested over his alleged involvement in the international drug ring spanning The Netherlands, Pakistan, Thailand and Australia.
The second man, from Maroota, was arrested following AFP raids at properties in the Sydney suburbs of Blacktown, Campbelltown, Alexandria, St Helens Park, Maroota, the Sydney CBD and Bateau Bay on the NSW Central Coast.
Both men were charged with conspiracy to supply a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug, which carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and/or a A$660,000 ($810,810) fine.
They were also charged with conspiracy to import a commercial quantity of a border controlled precursor chemical, which carries a sentence of 25 years in jail and/or a A$550,000 fine.
The third charge, conspiracy to defeat justice, brings a five year jail sentence, if convicted.
They will face Central Local Court today over AFP allegations the men participated in an international drug ring spanning three continents.
Twelve people were arrested last week in the Netherlands and a 49-year-old British national, believed to be a kingpin in the alleged drug syndicate, was arrested in Bangkok on Saturday.
Australia will seek extradition of the Briton on 17 separate and serious drug importation and distribution offences.
The AFP estimates the 600kg of pseudoephedrine had the potential to produce A$120 million worth of the methamphetamine, Ice.
Dutch police involved more than 150 special forces and undercover officers over two years to smash the alleged operation.
The AFP and NSW Crime Commission have been investigating Standen since July last year.
It will be alleged Standen and the Maroota man conspired to import the chemical into Australia via a complex supply route passing through Europe and Asia.
AFP deputy commissioner operations Tony Negus said the multi-jurisdictional operation was testament to effective cooperation with foreign police agencies.
"This has been a highly intricate and complex investigation which has had to be covertly undertaken because of the parties allegedly involved," Dep Comm Negus said in a statement.
"The ability to co-ordinate this across multiple agencies, jurisdictions and legal systems has been unprecedented."
- AAP
