Canadian national Laert Kasaj has been jailed for at least two years and seven months for his role in importing 645 kilograms of MDMA inside 200 barbecues from Cyprus.
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Kasaj was arrested and charged in December 2019 after a six-month operation by Australian and international authorities following a tip-off from Cyprus.
The drugs were found within a container of 200 barbecues being shipped into Sydney, many of which had false base plates with packages of crystalline MDMA inside.
On Tuesday, District Court Judge Kara Shead jailed Kasaj for a maximum of four years. His non-parole period is for two years and seven months.
Kasaj could be eligible for parole on July 15 given he has been in custody since December 19, 2019 after being refused bail.
The six-month drug bust involved the Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force, the Cyprus Drug Law Enforcement Unit and the United Kingdom National Crime Agency.
The 645kg of MDMA equated to around 2.2 million pills worth $61 million if broken down and sold.
After discovering the drugs, authorities replaced it with an impotent substance and then delivered the barbecues to a warehouse in Matraville in Sydney's east.
The consignment remained at the property for more than three months and starting in October was transferred to another warehouse in Smeaton Grange in Sydney's southwest.
Kasaj allegedly travelled to the warehouse in Smeaton Grange to inspect the barbecues.
He was 33 years old at the time of his arrest in Brisbane.
The Canadian was accused of acting as a liaison for the criminal syndicate behind the importation, and was charged with aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring an imported border control drug.
Australian Associated Press
