An Indian man has been charged after Australian authorities discovered $5.6 million worth of pseudoephedrine in a food consignment in Sydney’s Port Botany.The man appeared in the Parramatta Magistrates Court on Thursday after Australian Border Force officers seized about 166 kilograms of pseudoephedrine, a controlled chemical commonly used to make methamphetamine.According to Australia Today, the shipment arrived from India in early May 2026 and was declared as food. Suspicions arose after ABF officers discovered anomalies in three pallets during inspections at Port Botany. Upon closer inspection, several bags filled with a white powder were discovered, which later tested positive for pseudoephedrine.Investigators said the items seized had an estimated street value of $5.6 million.On May 11, ABF officers conducted a managed delivery operation, allowing the shipment to be transported to a storage facility in Parramatta under surveillance. Three days later, a man was arrested on suspicion of trying to claim the shipment.He was subsequently charged with importing border control precursors under section 307.11(3) of the Federal Criminal Code. The offense carries a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison.Authorities later searched the man’s hotel room on May 15 and found three cellphones, a laptop and business-related documents.ABF chief Shaun Baker commented on the agency’s intelligence-led approach to border security: “This seizure demonstrates the effectiveness of intelligence-led border operations,” said Baker, who described pseudoephedrine as “a key ingredient in methamphetamine production that contributes to the serious drug harm in Australian communities”.
