ACT Policing and the Australian Border Force (ABF) have intercepted 106kg of methamphetamine hidden in a shipment of car radiators in the ACT’s largest meth bust.
The drugs were detected by ABF officers in November 2023, after the shipment arrived in NSW from the USA. Following a deconstruction of the consignment – described as 56 radiators addressed to a business premises in Fyshwick – officers allegedly located 106kg of methamphetamine. The items were seized and ACT Policing’s Drug and Organised Crime Team took over the investigation.
On Friday 19 January 2024, officers executed four search warrants in Sydney, with assistance from AFP Eastern Command and the NSW Police Force’s Drug and Firearms Squad.
At this time, no arrests have been made, however the investigation into this significant importation is ongoing.
ACT Policing Detective Acting Inspector John Callaghan said police were committed to stopping drug traffickers from harming the Canberra community.
“The drugs seized had the potential to be more than 1 million individual ‘hits’ of methamphetamine,” Acting Inspector Callaghan said.
“Drug use can have devastating impacts upon the community, including incidents of drug driving and violent assaults. They also negatively impact each individual drug user.
“Drug traffickers don’t care about the harm their products cause, only about the money to be made, which is why preventing drug harm is so important to ACT Policing.
ABF Assistant Commissioner East Erin Dale said ABF officers will continue to work tirelessly to do their part to keep this and other illicit drugs off Australian streets.
“The illicit drug trade is affecting everyday Australians, disrupting families and livelihoods – the ABF will not apologise for detecting and preventing these harmful substances from coming into our country,” Assistant Commissioner Dale said.
“Let me be clear, the ABF will not stop working to identify and prosecute those involved in attempting to import illicit substances into Australia.
“This should serve as a warning to criminal groups – no matter where you are attempting to import or move your drugs, the Australian Border Force and our partners will be waiting.”
Anyone who has information about this importation, or has information about the sale or distribution of other illict drugs in the ACT, is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote reference 7614491.
