TOP AUST COP CHARGED OVER ALLEGED DRUG RING

SYDNEY - A top criminal investigator with the NSW Crime Commission
could face life imprisonment over an alleged multi-million dollar
international drug syndicate.

Mark Standen, 51, an assistant director with the commission and
ex-federal police officer, will face Central Local Court today after
being charged with conspiring to import 600kg of pseudoephedrine to be
illegally used to manufacture the drug Ice.

He was arrested yesterday at his Sydney CBD office by the Australian
Federal Police (AFP).

A second Sydney man, 45, was also arrested over his alleged
involvement in the international drug ring spanning The Netherlands,
Pakistan, Thailand and Australia.

The second man, from Maroota, was arrested following AFP raids at
properties in the Sydney suburbs of Blacktown, Campbelltown,
Alexandria, St Helens Park, Maroota, the Sydney CBD and Bateau Bay on
the NSW Central Coast.

Both men were charged with conspiracy to supply a large commercial
quantity of a prohibited drug, which carries a maximum penalty of life
imprisonment and/or a A$660,000 ($810,810) fine.

They were also charged with conspiracy to import a commercial quantity
of a border controlled precursor chemical, which carries a sentence of
25 years in jail and/or a A$550,000 fine.

The third charge, conspiracy to defeat justice, brings a five year
jail sentence, if convicted.

They will face Central Local Court today over AFP allegations the men
participated in an international drug ring spanning three continents.

Twelve people were arrested last week in the Netherlands and a
49-year-old British national, believed to be a kingpin in the alleged
drug syndicate, was arrested in Bangkok on Saturday.

Australia will seek extradition of the Briton on 17 separate and
serious drug importation and distribution offences.

The AFP estimates the 600kg of pseudoephedrine had the potential to
produce A$120 million worth of the methamphetamine, Ice.

Dutch police involved more than 150 special forces and undercover
officers over two years to smash the alleged operation.

The AFP and NSW Crime Commission have been investigating Standen since
July last year.

It will be alleged Standen and the Maroota man conspired to import the
chemical into Australia via a complex supply route passing through
Europe and Asia.

AFP deputy commissioner operations Tony Negus said the
multi-jurisdictional operation was testament to effective cooperation
with foreign police agencies.

"This has been a highly intricate and complex investigation which has
had to be covertly undertaken because of the parties allegedly
involved," Dep Comm Negus said in a statement.

"The ability to co-ordinate this across multiple agencies,
jurisdictions and legal systems has been unprecedented."