The AFP is calling for the public’s assistance after more than 110kg of methamphetamine was located in a consignment of woodworking machinery at Port Botany.
The consignment was identified by Australian Border Force (ABF) officers on 3 October 2023 after they noticed anomalies in an x-ray of a shipping container that had arrived from the United States.
A forensic deconstruction of the consignment revealed 22 packages hidden inside a wood planer. The packages were found to contain a white crystalline substance that later tested positive to methamphetamine.
The drugs were seized by AFP officers and enquiries are underway to identify those behind the importation.
AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Jeremy Staunton said 110kg of methamphetamine had the potential of more than one million street deals.
“The organised crime syndicates behind these large-scale importations don’t care about the harm they’re causing, the hospital admissions or drug driving accidents. They only care about the profits they can make,” Det. A/Supt Staunton said.
“If you know anything about this consignment, please contact Crime Stoppers on 1300 333 000 or via crimestoppers.com.au.”
The AFP is interested in information about people who may have been asked to take delivery of or store a large item of machinery.
ABF Superintendent Jared Leighton said ABF officers have access to cutting edge technology and world-class training to detect illicit substances and stop them from entering the Australian community.
“We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to identify the criminals behind bringing these threats to our front door,” Supt Leighton said.
“The Australian border is our most important national asset and, alongside our partners, we will stop at nothing to ensure criminals fail in their attempts to undermine its integrity.”
