A joint operation between the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Australian Customs and Border Protection Services (ACBPS) has resulted in the arrest of a 23 year old Victorian man.
The operation began in the end of March when an consignment arrived into Melbourne airport. The shipment was manifested as containing clay vases and base metal hardware with it’s origin being Mexico. The pallet was inspected by officers from ACBPS, in which they discovered a concealment with a weight of three kilograms. Several of the packages were tested, with initially indications returning that the material was crystal methamphetamine.
This find was followed by another on the 21st April. Another suspicious airfreight shipment arrived again from Mexico. This shipment was manifested as anthracite coal. ACBPS officers again examined the cargo, discovering a concealment of 33 foil packages, suspected of containing five kilograms of crystal methamphetamine.
Police delivered the consignment to a Reservoir address where the 23-year-old man was arrested and charged with two counts of importing a commercial quantity of methamphetamine, contrary to section 307.1 of the Criminal Code Act and two counts of attempting to possess a commercial quantity of methamphetamine, contrary to section 307.5 and section 11.1 of the Criminal Code.
ACBPS Regional Commander Victoria, Don Smith, said the arrest highlighted the fact that Customs and Border Protection officers were alert to even the most sophisticated attempts to conceal illicit drugs.
“Each and every day our officers are making detections of illicit substances at the border. If you don’t want a knock on the door from our police partners, don’t attempt to bring these dangerous and illegal imports into the Australian community,” Mr. Smith said.
