Authorities have uncovered a scheme involving two men who exploited their access to restricted areas of Sydney Airport to remove items from cargo shipments, thereby evading standard security protocols.

The investigation connected these men to a 44-year-old Padstow resident in New South Wales, who stands accused of orchestrating a drug smuggling operation.

Federal police allege this individual is associated with an organized crime network.

Detectives honed in on the criminal syndicate as they were unloading an estimated $40 million worth of cocaine from an aircraft, leading to the arrest of the 44-year-old at Rushcutters Bay.

In October 2024, he admitted to conspiring to import a commercial quantity of cocaine and was subsequently sentenced to 10 years in prison, with a minimum non-parole period of five years.

Additionally, three other individuals, including the two insiders at the airport, received a collective maximum sentence of 15 years and nine months for their involvement in the operation.

Australian Federal Police detective acting inspector Paul Watt warned others working at airports from becoming involved in crime.

“To anyone who works in an airport environment and may be lured in by the false promise a life of crime may offer, let me be very clear – these offences carry the potential of life in jail and Operation Lucian is a testament to that,” he said.

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