Three people have been jailed for almost 17 years combined for their involvement in the importation of 24 kilograms of methamphetamine concealed inside a shipment of treadmills imported into Melbourne from Thailand in October 2019.
The investigation began following information received from industry. On 4 October 2019, Australian Border Force (ABF) officers examined the consignment following its arrival into Melbourne and discovered the illicit drugs inside steel tubing hidden alongside treadmills.
The discovery sparked an international operation involving the Australian Federal Police (AFP), ABF and the Royal Thai Police (RTP).
AFP investigators executed a search warrant at a South Yarra residence on 31 October 2019 and arrested three people, including an 18-year-old man, a 31-year-old woman and a 17-year-old boy.
The trio were charged with attempting to possess commercial quantities of border controlled drugs, namely methamphetamine, under section 307.5 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).
All three pleaded guilty in the Melbourne County Court and on 6 November 2020, were sentenced.
The 18-year-old man was sentenced to seven years and three months imprisonment with a non-parole period of four years.
The 31-year-old woman was sentenced to five years and six months imprisonment with a non-parole period of three years.
The 17-year-old boy was sentenced to four years imprisonment in a Youth Justice Centre.
Follow-up enquiries conducted after the October 2019 seizure as part of the AFP and Thai Authorities joint-agency Taskforce Storm resulted in Thai law enforcement seizing approximately 176 kilograms of methamphetamine.
The methamphetamine was seized after Thai Authorities identified similar suspicious shipments containing treadmills inside a Bangkok shipping warehouse, which were destined for Japan. The Royal Thai Police arrested two people as a result of their investigations – a 44-year-old man and a 36-year-old woman.
On Saturday, 29 August 2020, AFP officers arrested a 39-year-old Malaysian man at Melbourne Airport. The man was charged with attempting to possess commercial quantities of border controlled drugs, namely methamphetamine, under section 307.5 of the Criminal Code Act (Cth) 1995.
It will be alleged in court that he was attempting to depart Australia in a bid to evade police detection and prosecution over his role in the important of the 24 kilograms of methamphetamine into Melbourne. His matter remains before the court.
Commander Investigations AFP Southern Command, Commander Todd Hunter said the AFP remains focused on working with partners, including industry and international law enforcement to stay ahead of organised crime in Australia and abroad.
“With our state, Commonwealth and international partners we continue to target, identify, dismantle and prosecute organised criminal groups, along with any individuals associated with them and the illicit trade of dangerous drugs,” he said.
“The serious consequences of dealing in the drug trade can change a person’s life forever. These perpetrators sought to profit from the misery caused by illicit drugs in our community. The AFP, with our partners, will not stop in our pursuit of protecting the Australian community from these insidious crimes. We can’t do this alone and everyone can play a part.”
ABF Commander, Craig Palmer, praised the outcome and said that it showed the serious consequences of engaging in this type of illegal behaviour.
“Not only do drugs have a detrimental impact on the Australian community, the criminal activity their sale funds is of further impact to our country. We will continue working closely with the AFP and other law enforcement to protect the Australian community.”
Taskforce Storm is a joint operational agreement between the AFP Office of the Narcotics Control Board, the Royal Thai Police, the Department of Special Investigations, and the Anti-Money Laundering Office. The Taskforce arrangement allows for joint operations to be undertaken. Taskforce Storm incorporates joint investigations and intelligence exchange to combat transnational crime, including drug trafficking, money laundering, firearms trafficking and serious fraud.
