Man ‘arrested in the surf’ over alleged meth import at Birubi Beach at Anna Bay, north of Newcastle

A man has been arrested in the surf at a beach north of Newcastle after a car allegedly containing roughly $34 million worth of methamphetamine was found stored earlier this year.

The arrest comes after authorities in June launched an investigation into an organised crime syndicate suspected of importing drugs from the United Kingdom.

A warrant for the 30-year-old man’s arrest was issued on November 25 over his alleged role in possessing the meth.

The 30-year-old was at Birubi Beach in Anna Bay on Friday when officers approached him, prompting the Greek national to allegedly run in to the water to escape police.

He spent some time treading water before returning to the shallows, where he was “arrested in the surf” by soaking wet officials, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) said on Tuesday.

“The 30-year-old man is alleged to have stored a car containing 37kg of methamphetamine with the intention of delivering the vehicle and illicit drugs to an unknown person,” the AFP said.

The 30-year-old was charged with one count of possess a commercial quantity of unlawfully imported border controlled drugs — the maximum penalty for the offence is life in prison.

He was also charged with one count of breach of bail.

The 30-year-old appeared in Parramatta Local Court on Saturday, the day after his arrest, and was formally refused bail.

The matter has been listed for the same court on February 20, 2025.

He is the third person to be arrested in relation to the alleged possession of the meth.

Two other Greek nationals, aged 43 and 41, were arrested on June 29 and October 1, for allegedly removing the methamphetamine from an air cargo consignment located in the Sydney suburb of Earlwood and hiding the illicit drugs in a car.

They were each charged with one count of possess a commercial quantity of unlawfully imported border controlled drugs, and have been placed in custody until they face Downing Centre Local Court on February 19.

A fourth Greek national, 45, was also arrested the day after the 30-year-old man’s beach arrest.

The AFP will allege the 45-year-old man also helped store the vehicle containing the methamphetamine with the intention of delivering the vehicle and illicit drugs to an unknown person.

He was also charged with possess a commercial quantity of unlawfully imported border controlled drugs, and is now in custody, set to face Downing Centre Local Court on January 15.

“Let these arrests serve as a warning to (alleged) criminal syndicates plotting attempts to bring illicit substances into our country – we are ready to act and disrupt your criminal activities, together with our law enforcement partners,” AFP Detective Superintendent Kristie Cressy said.

“The AFP is committed to targeting, identifying and disrupting any attempt to import harmful illicit substances into our country and we are dedicated to bringing those responsible to justice.”

More than 11,000 Australians were hospitalised between 2021 and 2022 in Australia due to meth, cocaine or heroin consumption — the equivalent of more than 30 hospitalisations a day.

Over the past financial year, the AFP and Australian Border Force (ABF) have seized more than 33.7 tonnes of illicit drugs and precursors, including 11 tonnes of methamphetamine.