X-ray image shows abnormalities
Australian Customs and Border Protection Services (ACBPS) have reported that 50kgs of methamphetamine has been seized as part of an operation that commenced a month ago. The street value for this find is a staggering $42 million (approx).
It all began when ACBPS officers selected a shipment from China which was manifested as a “boiler”. The x-ray inspection revealed inconsistencies within the package. Officers dismantled the goods, only to find a concealment of a white crystalline substance.
Initial testing of the powder confirmed that it was methamphetamine.
The matter was then referred to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) who arranged for a controlled delivery to an address in Merrylands, NSW. The contraband goods were then collected with the contents being taken to a hotel in Bass Hill.
It was there that the AFP arrested six men. They were charged with the following:
- Importation of a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, under section 307.1 of the Criminal Code 1995.
- Attempt to possess a commercial quantity of an unlawfully imported border controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, under section 307.5 by virtue of section 11.1 of the Criminal Code 1995.
The six men arrested were all Taiwanese nationals – aged between 27 and 46 years of age.
Tim Fitzgerald, ACBPS Regional Commander NSW said that this is a significant seizure for both the ACBPS and the AFP.
“No matter how these prohibited substances are concealed, our highly trained officers have the intelligence, technology and expertise to detect these dangerous drugs and seize them at the border which leads to arrests such as these,” said Mr Fitzgerald.
Investigations are still on going.
Image and Source credits: customs.gov.au
