Police find meth worth $180 million hidden in steel machinery
Police seized over 300 kilogrammes of methamphetamine hidden in steel machinery that arrived in Sydney from Mexico, Australian authorities said on Wednesday.
The drug, also known as meth or ice, was found split into 79 circle-shaped blocks stored within two lead-lined tubs inside a steel hydraulic press which arrived in Sydney by ship on April 18.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Australian Border Force (ABF) said in a joint statement.
The meth’s estimated street value was more than A$273 million (US$180 million), according to police.
The AFP sought information to identify the crime syndicate behind the importation.
“This seizure shows the extremes that drug trafficking syndicates will go to in their bids to smuggle illicit drugs into Australia because of the profits they can make,’’ said AFP Detective Sergeant Salam Zreika.
ABF Inspector Marc Rea said officers’ expertise would detect these consignments however creative the smuggling attempts are.
“In this case, even thick steel couldn’t dampen the determination of our officers in locating the concealed methamphetamine deep inside the hydraulic press,’’ Mr Rea said.
(dpa/NAN)
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