Australian Customs and Border Protection Services (ACBPS) have made an amazing discovering in an imported airfreight consignment from Mexico.
The shipment arrived into Sydney Airport manifested as a metal “packaging system” labelling machine.
ACBPS officers completed an x-ray and physical examination of the package, locating inside a number of foil bags containing a white crystalline substance. The material tested positive to methamphetamine.
With the consignment being handed over to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) further investigation and forensic analysis was carried out. The concealment was noted to have 17 heat sealed foil bags located in the base of the machine. 14.9kgs of methamphetamine was seized, with an approximate street value of $7.45 million. The labeling machine was non-functioning, appearing to have been fashioned in order to conceal the drugs.
After a controlled delivery was made, a 32 year old U.S. citizen was arrested and charged with attempt to possess a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug.
The maximum penalty for this offence is imprisonment for life and / or a fine of up to $1,275,000.
“Our officers are alert to creative methods to conceal illegal drugs. We will continue to work with partner agencies to ensure importers of illegal drugs are caught,” Mr Singh, ACBPS National Manager Cargo Operations declared.
Source: Australian Customs and Border Protection Services
