Australian authorities have made the largest haul of methamphetamine to date, with the seizure of almost 903 kilograms of the drug in Melbourne’s east.

Two men, a 53-year-old Blackburn man and a 36-year-old Doncaster man, have been charged with drug trafficking after the discovery of the record haul originating from Asia, with an estimated street value of $898 million.

In January, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) provided intelligence to Victoria Police Clandestine Laboratory Squad about a makeshift facility operating in Box Hill.

As a result, AFP and Victoria Police Clandestine Laboratory Squad detectives conducted 12 search warrants in the Blackburn North, Blackburn South, Box Hill North and Doncaster.

The searches resulted in the discovery of approximately 40 kilograms of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, $140,000 in cash, and 175,000 contraband cigarettes.

903kg of the drug ice was found inside wooden floorboards. (Photo: Supplied/ AFP)

AFP officers also conducted a search warrant on a warehouse on Norcal Road in Nunawading, where they located 70 boxes of wooden floorboards. The floorboards were forensically deconstructed and each was found to contain approximately two kilograms of crystal methamphetamine. The total weight of crystal methamphetamine seized was 862.9 kilograms.

A further $5 million worth of property – including industrial and residential buildings, motor vehicles and cash – was restrained at this time under provisions of the Proceeds of Crime Act.

In total, approximately 903 kilograms of methamphetamine has been seized as a result of this operation. Further forensic testing is being conducted to determine the exact weight and purity of the drugs.

Both men have been charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of methamphetamine and face life imprisonment if found guilty.

903kg of the drug ice was found inside wooden floorboards. (Photo: Supplied/ AFP)

Police are still searching for two Asian men with links to the syndicate who are believed to frequent the Box Hill area.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said the seizure was a testament to the hard work of authorities for working to eliminate the “scourge” that destroys lives.

“This was nearly a tonne of ice, so this is a great credit to our border protection and our police in confiscating this enormous shipment,” he said.

“It [ice] destroys families and communities. We will be ruthless in our efforts to stop the smuggling and the trafficking of drugs.”

AFP Assistant Commissioner Neil Gaughan, National Manager Organised Crime and Cyber, said investigations were continuing in Australia and overseas through the AFP’s International Network, and further arrests were expected.

“Police are best-placed to stem the supply of illicit drugs by targeting organised crime syndicates,” Assistant Commissioner Gaughan said.

“Our law enforcement effort is coordinated with the health and education sectors, who are focused on demand reduction.”

Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Crime Command Stephen Fontana said this was a significant seizure, and a great result of the continuing work by Victoria Police members with their partner agencies.

“As long as there is demand, there will be a market and we need to stop the cycle which affects the entire community,” Assistant Commissioner Fontana said.

– with AFP