Huge drug shipment arrested after 45 kg of meth destined for Australia was intercepted by customs
- Huge cargo of drugs intercepted
- Illegal drugs shipped from Mexico to Australia
A massive and potentially devastating shipment of ice destined for Melbourne’s streets has been intercepted before reaching Australian shores in a major international drug bust.
The 45 kg methamphetamine shipment was intercepted by customs authorities in Hong Kong on April 16 and was originally shipped from Mexico with a delivery address in Melbourne.
The illegal and highly addictive drugs were found in a thermoforming machine used to shape plastic in packaging manufacturing.
A massive and potentially devastating shipment of ice destined for Melbourne’s streets has been intercepted before reaching Australian shores in a major international drug bust
Australian Federal Police (AFP) agents, stationed in Mexico and Hong Kong, shared information with local authorities through the International Liaison Officer Network, leading to the seizure.
AFP detective Patrick Gordon said the shipment could cause “significant harm” to Australians.
“Unfortunately, these international criminal syndicates only care about lining their pockets, not the irreversible damage they are doing,” he said.
Det. Supt. Gordon said Hong Kong is becoming a “popular transit point” for drug shipments from Central America, with Australia a key market.
“Unfortunately, drug cartels continue to attack Australia in response to the high demand for illegal drugs, but the AFP and its international network of more than 200 associates in 33 countries stand ready to counter this harmful trade,” he added.
It is estimated that every kilogram of methamphetamine costs the Australian economy more than $226,000 through crime, lost productivity, emergency assistance and increased health care spending, the AFP reports.
Mexican meth drug bust