The 35 year-old man allegedly organised the importation of 347.9 kilograms of heroin to Sydney in December 2020 and has lived "in a number of countries" since the pandemic lockdowns began in March 2020.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) alleged the man has "extensive links" to transnational organised crime groups that helped facilitate the heroin importation.

AFP commander transnational operations Richard Chin said "illicit drugs like heroin cause significant harm to the Australian community; they are an impost on our health system and negatively impact every aspect of society".

The man was arrested at Sydney International Airport on May 27 after Turkish authorities organised his deportation to Australia.

AFP said it notified Turkish authorities the alleged drug importer was "suspected to be in their jurisdiction" and they detained him in January 2023.

"This arrest is a testament to our close partnership with Turkish authorities who continue to demonstrate their strong commitment to creating a hostile environment for organised crime in Trkiye, ensuring these groups cannot operate," Commander Chin said.

"The AFP remains committed to working with our global partners through our International Command to disrupt organised crime groups engaged in this activity and bring them to account for their actions," he said.

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The man is charged with importing a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs and the maximum penalty for this offence is life imprisonment, AFP said.

In September 2021 another Sydney man faced charges for the December 2020 heroin importation and he remains before the courts.