Indian-origin Australian man, mastermind of drug smuggling in Sydney, apprehended

Following a two-year multi-agency investigation, Gurvinder Singh, a 42-year-old Indian-origin Australian man has been arrested for allegedly masterminding an international drug operation leading to 20 million illicit cigarettes and dozens of kgs of cocaine being smuggled to Sydney, a report by The Australia Today said.

The racket involved 50 kg of cocaine concealed in cement bags, 280 kg of liquid methamphetamine and a “trusted insiders” network at the port. From selling illegal cigarettes on Sydney’s black market alone, the syndicate generated at least $443,000 in proceeds, the publication added, quoting officials.

The report further mentioned that the Australian police intercepted a consignment of 280 kg of liquid methamphetamine which was shipped from Canada's Vancouver in August 2024. Undercover surveillance helped tracing an illicit cargo port storage to a clandestine cool-down operation in Riverstone.

Two men were arrested following this operation, enabling the officials on getting a lead on Gurvinder Singh, the mastermind behind the syndicate, the report added.

Last week, Singh was finally apprehended outside a private residence after 150 officials conducted raids across southwestern Sydney.

The publication further mentioned that Gurvinder Singh faces a total of ‘five counts of importing a commercial quantity of border-controlled drugs and illegal tobacco, two counts of dealing with proceeds of crime, and two counts relating to leading a criminal group’.

Singh would face life imprisonment if he is convicted, the report said.

Sis associated were also taken into custody, of which two were Canadian nationals. 24-year-old Aman Kang and 31-year-old Mani Singh Dhaliwal

Six associates—two of whom are Canadian nationals, 24-year-old Aman Kang and 31-year-old Mani Singh Dhaliwal—were also taken into custody ‘each face charges of possessing a commercial quantity of drugs and participating in a criminal group’, the publication stated.

During the suspects’ initial appearances, they were denied bail. They will next appear at Downing Centre Local Court in July, the report said.

Singh’s lawyer said that he should be released on bail with regards to being the sole breadwinner of his family as well as his underlying health conditions.