$275 million worth of ‘ice’ seized in Victoria, eight people arrested

04 Tháng 7, 2016 | Uncategorized

Police seized $275 million worth of the drug ‘ice’ under the floorboards of three shipping
containers in Melbourne. (Photo courtesy: Australian Federal Police)
 

Eight men have been charged after police seized 275 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine worth hundreds of millions of dollars in shipping containers from China, at a Victorian port.

In a joint media release, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) said the eight men – one Malaysian man and seven Australian citizens – have been charged over the haul which ranks as the largest drug seizure in Victoria this year.

The 275-kilograms of methamphetamine, which police say has a street value of around $275 million, were found under the floorboards of three shipping containers delivered from China and sent to a Melbourne factory, the statement read.

The Joint Organised Crime Task Force, involving state and federal police, Border Force and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission started investigating the alleged syndicate in February.

Police searched addresses in South Yarra, Braybrook, Bayswater, Brunswick, Box Hill and Glen Waverley, and arrested the eight men aged between 24 and 34 in connection with the illegal drug syndicate.

Australian Federal Police Assistant Commissioner Ian McCartney commended the efforts of police and partner agencies for their effective collaboration.

“The persistence and dedication of police and partner agencies has seen the interception and future destruction of more than two and a half million hits of this insidious drug,” Assistant Commissioner McCartney said.

“We will be relentless in our pursuit of organised crime. This result is a clear example of what the combined powers of all of our agencies can achieve.”

AFP Commissioner Ian McCartney said police would be relentless in the pursuit of organised crime.

“The persistence and dedication of police and partner agencies has seen the interception and future destruction of more than two and a half million hits of this insidious drug,” Assistant Commissioner McCartney said.

Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Crime Command Stephen Fontana said the “ever increasing demand” for illicit substances meant the work of police was never done.

“As long as there is demand, there will be a market which in turn cannot be measured in the harm transferred through to our community, our families and our loved ones.

“Further addiction, road trauma, violent and volume crime, domestic violence, all of us, are affected by an insidious revolving cycle,” Assistant Commissioner Fontana said.

Investigations remain ongoing and further charges have not been ruled out, the taskforce confirmed.

– with AFP