A container of furniture and unmarked boxes were home to a huge find of MDMA and crystal methamphetamine. Almost two tonnes of MDMA and more than 800kgs of methamphetamine to be exact. With an estimated street value of AUD1.5 billion, this seizure is the second biggest ever made.
Following a large scale operation commencing in Germany, the massive haul was tracked through to Sydney. The shipping container was examined at the NSW Container Examination Facility, it was there that the officers confirmed the find.
The Australian Federal Police conducted a controlled delivery of the container to an address in Smithfield. It was there, on the 29th November, that six men were arrested after they were found accessing the goods.
“Working together as a part of the Joint Organised Crime Group, this seizure represents the second largest in Australian history and is worth up to $1.5 billion,” AFP Commissioner Andrew Colvin said.
“This seizure represents another success for law enforcement in halting illicit drugs bound for Australia.”
“This seizure represents the second largest seizure in Australian history, which proves law enforcement agencies are working harder than ever to keep drugs out of our community.”
New South Wales Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione said the significance of today’s seizure cannot and should not ever be underestimated.
“Today the NSW Police Force’s Organised Crime Squad, with its partner agencies, has taken billions of dollars-worth of illicit drugs off the streets just before the start of the summer party season,” Commissioner Scipione said.
These charges attract a possible penalty of life imprisonment and investigations into this matter remain ongoing.
