SYDNEY: Six people have been detained in Australia in connection with the biggest-ever domestic seizure in the United States (US), of the party drug, methamphetamine, also known as ‘ice’ in the underworld.
A joint US and Australian investigation led to the seizure of the drug which was due to have been shipped in January, where it would fetch an estimated US$915 million.
According to Xinhua news agency, Australian authorities alerted their US counterparts who pounced on the consignment before it could leave American shores.
Officers from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Victoria Police arrested six people on Thursday in the eastern states of Victoria and New South Wales with alleged ties to a US-based organised crime syndicate operating in California.
“This is the biggest-ever seizure of methamphetamine — more than 1.7 tonnes — stopped before it had a chance to reach Australian streets,” AFP assistant commissioner Bruce Hill said.
“I wish to thank our US counterparts for their expert involvement in this investigation and strong support of our efforts to keep these drugs off Australian shores.”
As well as 1,728kg of methamphetamine, the shipment which was labelled ‘audio equipment’, also contained 25kg of cocaine and five kilogrammes of heroin.
Australian police executed search warrants across two states resulting in the arrest of two US nationals and four Australians.
During the raids, the police also seized large amounts of drugs and hundreds of thousands of dollars.
“According to our National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program data, Victoria is estimated to consume just over two tonnes of methamphetamine each year,” said Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission state manager Victoria Operations Jason Halls.
“Removing 1.7 tonnes of methamphetamine before it reaches our streets will have a huge effect on the illicit drug market.” – Bernama
