A concrete-cutter involved in a failed plot to import a quarter-tonne of meth inside an industrial excavator did not know the size of the haul when it was delivered to his business.
Afif Saliba faces a maximum sentence of life in prison alongside two other co-offenders for his role in the botched scheme.
The 32-year-old has pleaded guilty to attempting to possess a commercial quantity of an unlawfully imported border controlled drug.
The former businessman held his head in his hands at Sydney's Downing Centre District Court on Wednesday as his lawyer argued he was unaware of the extent of the importation plan.
Defence barrister Phillip Boulton SC said Saliba, who ran a concrete-cutting business, was asked to house the excavator but did not know the contents or quantity of the hidden drugs.
Officers uncovered 295kg of methamphetamine, worth $184 million at the time, concealed in layers of concrete, steel and lead in machinery sent from Hong Kong.
After police removed the drugs and placed a listening device inside, the digger was sent on to its intended destination at Saliba's western Sydney business in August 2021.
Mr Boulton said Saliba did not necessarily know what the drugs were or what quantity was involved, he must have known the amount was sizeable and that he was doing something significantly wrong when the equipment was delivered.
Saliba and electrician Antonio Norman de Luca, 28, made several fumbling attempts to access the drugs after the equipment was delivered to the Penrith location.
A listening device recorded Saliba as saying: "Someone's stolen it ... dead set stolen it."
De Luca was heard responding: "How do you get in there? It will be in here, bro."
The pair were later watched by police as de Luca purchased tools from Bunnings in another bid to cut into the industrial equipment.
Mr Boulton said the court could not be satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that Saliba knew of the drug importation plan, although he "must have thought something illicit was going on" when the machinery arrived.
"I accept he knew the substance was more than just grams or a kilogram," he said.
Saliba will return to court for sentencing on November 9, when he will be joined by co-offenders de Luca and Raymond Saab, 26.
