Major ABF operation dismantles self-taught Adelaide meth cooks

Australian Border Force (ABF) investigators have arrested and charged four men with importing a marketable quantity of the border controlled precursor, pseudoephedrine.

In a major operation on 6 and 7 March, ABF officers executed multiple simultaneous search and seizure warrants at a number of addresses across Adelaide, including in Ferryden Park, Highbury, Ashford, Enfield, Blair Athol and Bolivar. The warrants were in response to persons of interest importing almost 10,000 tablets of pseudoephedrine, which the ABF will allege the men were planning to use in order to create methamphetamine for distribution and sale.

This amount of pseudoephedrine could be used to create more than a kilogram of methamphetamine – equating to 10,000 hits – with a potential street value of more than $1 million.

Earlier this year the ABF began investigating multiple consignments of pseudoephedrine, en route to various addresses in Adelaide. The detections were made at international mail gateway facilities in Sydney and Melbourne.

The consignments held a total of about 10,000 tablets containing pseudoephedrine, none of which had been declared and some of which had been concealed or incorrectly labelled. Additionally, ABF officers detected a number of items containing laboratory glassware, which can be used in the production of methamphetamine and ‘ice pipes’ used to smoke illicit substances.

During the warrant activity, ABF investigators arrested a 33-year-old man at an address in Ferryden Park, a 41-year-old man in at an address in Enfield, a 44-year-old man at an address in Blair Athol, and a 46-year-old man at an address in Bolivar.

A range of glassware and laboratory equipment was located in a residential address in Ashford. South Australia Police attended the address and seized and removed the equipment, which the ABF will allege was intended to be used to covertly manufacture crystal methamphetamine, or ice, essentially transforming the home into a makeshift clandestine laboratory.

ABF Superintendent Operations, South Australia, Andrew Dawson, said this operation has disrupted a group of individuals who have gone to great lengths to plan and equip themselves to manufacture and sell methamphetamine in Adelaide.

“Individuals who look to build these meth labs have little regard for the environment, or for public safety,” Superintendent Dawson said.

“Crude and improvised clandestine labs of this kind are extremely dangerous and pose severe health risks, not only to the occupants of the premises, but also to local residents and emergency personnel.”

“Criminals should be on notice that no matter how you try to smuggle these illicit substances, it’s only a matter of time before our officers come knocking on your door and hold you to account.”

The four men appeared at the Adelaide Magistrates Court on 7 and 8 March 2017 charged with importing a marketable quantity border controlled precursor, contrary to Division 307.12 of the Criminal Code Act 1995, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years’ imprisonment or a fine of $540,000 or both.

VISION: Vision of this operation can be downloaded here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/eir7l7ngg0gf3cs/Adelaide%20warrant%20full.mp4?dl=0

Media contact: Immigration and Border Protection (02) 6264 2244

ABF foils attempt to smuggle 8kg of ephedrine through Sydney Airport

A 58-year-old Cabramatta man appeared before the Central Local Court on Wednesday (22 Feb) charged with importing about 8kg of ephedrine through Sydney Airport.

Australian Border Force (ABF) officers identified the man when he arrived at Sydney International Airport on a flight from Vietnam on Tuesday (21 February).

The officers examined the man’s luggage which contained bags of food items, including items such as curry and coffee. When the officers opened the bags of food they discovered they contained a white powder. Testing of this powder returned a positive result for ephedrine.

Ephedrine is a border controlled drug and is used as a precursor agent in the manufacture of illegal amphetamine substances, such as ice.

ABF investigators arrested the man and he was taken to Mascot Police Station and charged with one count of intentionally importing prohibited tier 1 goods, contrary to Section 233BAA(4) of the Customs Act 1901.

During the court appearance the charge was upgraded to one count of importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled precursor, a charge which carries a maximum penalty of 25 years’ imprisonment.

Acting Regional Commander NSW Jim Beach said ABF officers must be constantly alert to the threat of attempted illicit drug importations at Australia’s airports.

“The ABF continues to see attempts to import illicit drugs into Australia and once again ABF officers have been up to the task of detecting these drugs before they can cause harm in the Australian community,” Acting Regional Commander Beach said.

“The ABF is constantly on alert at Australia’s borders and, in cooperation with our law enforcement partners, we continue to use intelligence and specialist detection techniques to combat the threat of illicit drug importation on a daily basis.”

ABF investigators are continuing enquiries into the circumstances surrounding this case.

Vision: Vision for this media release can be found here:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/r7fvrpqh4nr31ov/ABF%20FOOTAGE_21.02.2017.mov?dl=0
Password: 21022017

Media contact: Immigration and Border Protection (02) 6264 2244

Man charged with multiple firearms offences

A 34-year-old man has been charged with multiple offences relating to the illegal importation of firearm parts into Australia after joint warrant activity between Australian Border Force (ABF) investigators and Victoria Police.

Officers from the ABF, Victoria Police Armed Crime Squad, Mildura Crime Investigation Unit and Mildura Divisional Response Unit, along with two ABF detector dogs, targeted two properties at Mildura in Victoria after a number of firearm parts were intercepted in international mail items.

During the search officers located numerous firearms parts, amounts of heroin and methamphetamine, a large amount of cash and a 3D printer allegedly being used to make firearms parts.

The man was charged with three counts of importing handgun parts without permission, contrary to section 233BAB(5) of the Customs Act 190. He also faces numerous charges relating to the manufacture, possession and supply of illegal firearms.

It’s the second time in three months the man has been charged by the ABF and Victoria Police. In November 2016 he was granted bail on eight counts of importing handgun parts without permission, contrary to section 233BAB(5) of the Customs Act 1901.

ABF Commander Investigations Mark Antill praised the continued work of ABF officers.

“This is another significant result for our investigators and demonstrates the ABFs commitment to detecting illicit firearms at the border and working with our state law enforcement counterparts”, commander Antill said.

“Through these ongoing joint efforts we are protecting our community by preventing dangerous weapons such as these from reaching our streets and potentially being used in violent crimes”.

The man faced court Mildura Magistrates Court on 9 February and was remanded in custody to 11 May 2017.

Media contact: Immigration and Border Protection (02) 6264 2244

ABF seize prohibited weapons from Bowen house

ution and a total of 30 prohibited imports were located, including knives, knuckle rings, knuckle dusters, a baton and slingshot with brace. All items were seized by the ABF.

Queensland ABF Regional Commander, Terry Price, said the ABF was committed to protecting the community from dangerous prohibited goods.

“The safety of our community is a priority for the Australian Border Force and we will continue to work with our partner agencies to stop illicit weapons in the community,” Regional Commander Price said.

“Once again, we have seen seizures by our border officers lead to further operational activity onshore. The community can be assured that we will not tolerate the illegal importation of dangerous weapons, and our officers are working in Australia’s regional and rural areas to combat any threat,” he said.

Penalties under the Customs Act include conviction and fines of up to $180,000.

Media contact:
Immigration and Border Protection (02) 6264 2244

Mildura man charged with importing handgun parts

Australian Border Force investigators have arrested a 34-year-old man for illegally importing handgun parts following the execution of a search warrant at the man’s Mildura residence yesterday.

With the support of Victoria Police, ABF investigators conducted a search warrant at the man’s premises after detecting a number of suspicious packages addressed to the man in the mail.

From 6 – 9 November 2016, ABF officers at the Melbourne Gateway Facility found seven separate packages addressed to the man that had been labelled as ‘toys’ or ‘model parts’, but instead contained firearm parts and handgun frames.

After detecting these packages sent from the US and Hong Kong, ABF investigators executed a search warrant at the man’s premises where they found a number of hand gun parts.

The ABF has charged the man with eight counts of importing handgun parts without permission, contrary to section 233BAB(5) of the Customs Act 1901, and one count of being in possession of handgun parts without permission, contrary to section 233(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1901.

ABF Commander Immigration and Customs Enforcement Anthony Seebach congratulated the officers involved in the successful operation.

“Given the obvious danger that these handgun parts represent, once assembled, this is a great result for the safety of our community,” Commander Seebach said.

“Thanks to the expertise shown by our officers in the mail facility and the investigative team, the ABF has been able to stop dangerous firearms hitting our streets.”

If convicted, the man faces a significant fine and up to 10 years’ imprisonment, or both.

Media contact: Immigration and Border Protection (02) 6264 2244