A RUTHERFORD truck driver arrested outside a Sydney storage unit linked to the importation of more than $140 million worth of cocaine and MDMA has pleaded guilty to minor drug possession offences.
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Christopher James Parker, 33, the only person charged by detectives investigating the massive drug shipment that arrived in Sydney from Spain in May, appeared in Manly Local Court on Monday and pleaded guilty to three counts of possession of a prohibited drug.
The offences related to small amounts of methylamphetamine, cannabis and cocaine found in the cab of Parker's semi-trailer after he pulled into a storage facility linked to the importation plot on May 27.
Magistrate Michelle Goodwin convicted Parker and placed him on a 12-month good behaviour bond.
A tip-off had led authorities to a container carrying more than 200 boxes of shampoo that arrived from Spain on May 7.
Australian Border Force officers intercepted the shipment at Port Botany, uncovering 312kg of cocaine, which police said had an estimated potential street value of $93.6 million, and 236kg of MDMA powder, with an estimated street value of $47.2 million, in plastic bags stuffed underneath shampoo bottles.
Police then raided nine storage facilities around Sydney and arrested Parker after he arrived at a storage facility at Cromer.
Parker was not charged with the contents of the shipment and police have said they have not arrested anyone else in relation to the massive importation.
"We think this was heading to regional NSW directly which is probably the first time we've seen such a significant seizure bound for regional NSW," State Crime Command boss Stuart Smith said at the time authorities foiled the plot.
