Three men have been refused bail over a seizure of 70 kilograms of the drug ice in Sydney.

Police say the drug originated in China and was found concealed in a shipment of furniture.

They estimate the haul has a street value of up to $42 million.

Its is alleged the container was moved across Sydney before the men removed the drugs.

A 29-year-old Maroubra man has been charged with importing an illicit drug.

A 19-year-old from Bonnyrigg and 32-year-old from Bankstown are charged with attempting to posses a commercial quantity of unlawfully imported methamphetamine.

Australian Federal Police Commander David Sharpe says the arrests are the result of a joint operation with Customs which began earlier this month.

"As part of the investigation surveillance was utilised and the goods from the container were moved to a commercial address in Rockdale," he said.

"At this point the drugs were concealed within furniture and that furniture was then moved from there to Fairfield.

"At this point the AFP went to resolution and made the arrests."

Commander Sharpe says further arrests are likely.

"This is a matter that is ongoing. There are a lot of enquiries that continue to be conducted, both in Australia and offshore," he said.

"Our international network is currently being engaged in China and Hong Kong and we are looking at where these drugs originated from and we do think there will be further arrests."