Man jailed for 16 years over monitored app meth import

A Melbourne man will spend up to 16 years behind bars for trying to smuggle 144 kilograms of methamphetamine into Australia after being caught in a global police sting.

Dale Williams, 40, faced Victoria's County Court on Friday after admitting to his role in attempting to import the drugs into Melbourne from Malaysia in 2020, concealed inside a shipping container.

He was arrested by Australian Federal Police in June 2021, after authorities gained intelligence through Operation Ironside, which monitored communications on the AN0M app.

The app was set up by authorities under the guise of offering organised crime figures a safe encrypted messaging service, when in reality it was being monitored by the AFP and FBI.

About 300 people have been arrested and charged in Australia under the AN0M operation.

Williams pleaded guilty to attempting to illegally import 144.5kg methylamphetamine and trafficking commercial quantities of meth and cocaine.

Police found 18 cardboard boxes containing 1kg blocks filled with crystal methamphetamine in June 2020.

The drugs were hidden inside tea packets and federal police swapped the methamphetamine out for rock salt before delivering the shipment to a driver who had been hired by Williams, the court was told.

The driver took the shipment to a factory, later opening the boxes and realising inside the tea was salt. 

Federal police intercepted Williams' communications with alleged high-level drug traffickers in Turkey on AN0M, where he spoke about the shipment and two prior drug runs, which he said had been "perfect".

He also discussed making methylamphetamine and trafficking cocaine in the messages. 

Judge Michael Cahill sentenced Williams to 16 years in prison and he must serve at least 10 years and six months before he will be eligible for parole. He has already served one year and eight months.

He said his criminality was high due to the profit he would have made from the shipment but added that Williams was entitled to a "demonstrable" sentencing discount due to his early guilty plea.

The judge described AN0M as a "Trojan Horse" for police in monitoring the covert operations of international criminals, with hundreds of cases still going through the magistrates court committal stream.

"It's expected legal challenges will take many years to finalise because it is an issue of such significance it is anticipated it will reach the High Court," Judge Cahill said.