Methamphetamine worth $106 million seized, kingpin arrested

Australian Border Force (ABF) officers foiled an attempt to import approximately 159 kilograms of methamphetamine, with a potential street value of $106.5 million. They also blocked import of 340 kilograms of the drug precursor ephedrine into Australia.

With the arrest of a man alleged to be the kingpin of the drug syndicate, the law enforcement agencies have successfully disrupted operations of the Australian criminal syndicate. The man arrested is reported to be the key man of the syndicate with international links.

In the first week of January Australian Border Force (ABF) officers targeted three sea freight containers that arrived from China. The consignment had a number of bar stools and boxes of soup packets. On deconstruction of the bar stools, ABF officers found a total of 159 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine concealed within the seat-backs. In the soup mix packets 340 kilograms of ephedrine was also found. No Sydney based customs broker was booked in this case.

A detailed investigation code named Operation Serpia was initiated by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) following the detection of the contraband. This operation was the joint effort of Australian Federal Police (AFP) along with Australian Border Force (ABF) and Chinese National Narcotics Control Commission (NNCC).

A controlled delivery of three separate cargo containers to three separate commercial addresses in Peakhurst and Kingsgrove was undertaken by the Australian Federal Police. Subsequently three people a 57-year-old woman, a 45-year-old man and a 50-year-old man were arrested in this connection.

According to estimates by the law enforcement agencies 340 kilograms of ephedrine can be converted to  250 kilograms of methamphetamine. Potential street value of 250 kilograms of methamphetamine is $167.5 million.

The success of this operation was due to the use of sophisticated techniques and resource. The agencies involved were very focused on the international syndicates targeting the Australian market.

Meth worth $15 million concealed in fridge doors seized

 

A joint agency investigation to stop the flow of illicit substances into Australia resulted in the arrest of a Sydney man. He was charged for the import of 23 kilograms of methamphetamine with a street value of  15.4 million.

On the basis of information received from reliable sources, Australian Border Force (ABF) officers intercepted a consignment containing a refrigerator, a juice blender and a number of water cooling towers at the port of Darwin. On examining, 27 packages were found concealed within the fridge doors.

The packages recovered from the fridge doors contained a white crystalline substance with a total weight of approximately 23 kilograms. Laboratory analysis and testing proved the substance to be methamphetamine (ICE). According government estimates the street value of the drugs can be $15.4 million.

Following this the case was handed over to Joint Taskforce Nemesis for further investigation. A controlled delivery of the consignment was done to a delivery depot in Sydney. A 51-year-old collected the consignment and returned it to his premises in the Sydney suburb of Georges Hall, NSW. Taskforce has not given out the name of any Sydney custom broker.

A search warrant was conducted on an address in Georges Hall where the man was arrested. Joint Taskforce Nemesis discovered fraudulent documents. They also recovered three kilograms of a substance suspected to be methamphetamine and $6,700 cash.

The accused was charged with importing a commercial quantity of border controlled drug methamphetamine and attempt to possess a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug.

According to AFP’s Darwin Office Manager Superintendent Mark Setter, this was a complex operation, and involved a great level of coordination from the time the drugs were intercepted in Darwin to being traced through to Sydney where the arrest has been made. He also said this investigation is an excellent example of the collaborative working arrangements of Northern Territory law enforcement agencies.

Ephedrine concealed in boxes of ceramic paintings seized from drug syndicate

 

The Australian Border Force (ABF) seized approximately 40 kilograms of prohibited precursor drug ephedrine. With the arrest of three people in Sydney in this connection, the Australian Border Force has successfully disrupted an organised criminal syndicate with links in China and Australia.

On charges related to the importation of 25kg of ephedrine, a 28-year-old man from the People’s Republic of China (PRC), a 22-year-old woman from the PRC, and an 18-year-old Australian man were arrested. Officials of ABF said the ephedrine seized would have a street value of $6 million once converted into methamphetamine (ice). The ABF has not officially disclosed names of any Sydney customs broker in connection with this case.

A second consignment belonging to the same group was intercepted by ABF and seized 15 kilograms of ephedrine. Tim Fitzgerald, ABF Regional Commander NSW said the seizures is an important step forward in disrupting a significant organised criminal network. This cartel had over time, attempted to smuggle drugs through sea and air at different entry points of Australia. This case has sends a clear message to criminal groups that ABF is very vigilant and will not allow drugs, which causes terrible harm to the society, to enter Australia.

At the Container Examination Facility at Port Botany in Sydney, ABF officers intercepted a sea cargo consignment from China. Following this, the consignment was tracked to an address in the Sydney suburb of Ryde. On the basis of the illegal items recovered, ABF officers arrested and charged three people. Contraband seized was 25 kilograms of ephedrine concealed in boxes of ceramic paintings sent from China.

Accused has been charged with the offence of importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled precursor ephedrine without a permit. For the offences committed the maximum penalty can be fine of up to $550,000 and or a jail term of 5 years.

Malaysian nationals arrested with drugs worth $46 million

Malaysian nationals arrested with drugs worth $46 million

 

Three men were arrested and charged at Melbourne Airport for allegedly importing 70 kilograms of illicit drugs hidden in luggage. This was following an investigation and detection of drugs by Australian Border Force (ABF) and further investigation by Australian Federal Police (AFP).

The accused three, all Malaysian nationals arrived in Australia on a flight from Kuala Lumpur. ABF officers identified anomalies subsequent to examination of the men’s luggage. AFP Forensics continued with  further analysis of the confiscated material.

Chemical analysis proved the material concealed to be 55kg of methamphetamine and 18kg of heroin. These material were concealed within the three suitcases. It is not known if any Sydney custom broker is involved in this case.

Methamphetamine – meth for short – is a very addictive stimulant drug. It is a powder that can be made into a pill or a shiny rock (called a crystal). The powder can be eaten or snorted up the nose. It can also be mixed with liquid and injected into your body with a needle. Crystal meth is smoked in a small glass pipe.

Meth at first causes a rush of good feelings, but then users feel edgy, overly excited, angry, or afraid. Meth use can quickly lead to addiction. It causes medical problems including making your body temperature so high that you pass out, severe itching, “Meth mouth” – broken teeth and dry mouth, thinking and emotional problems.

Heroin is a white or brown powder or a black, sticky goo. It’s an opioid drug made from morphine, a natural substance in the seedpod of the Asian poppy plant. It can be mixed with water and injected with a needle. Heroin can also be smoked or snorted up the nose. All of these ways of taking heroin send it to the brain very quickly. This makes it very addictive.

Major health problems from heroin include miscarriages, heart infections, and death from overdose. People who inject the drug also risk getting infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS and hepatitis.

The sized drugs has a potential street value of $36.8 million and $10.1 million respectively. Later on AFP officers arrested all three men after conducting a controlled delivery of the suitcases to a hotel in Melbourne. Two of the men were charged for importation of a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs and attempting to possess a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs.

Fifty kilograms of methamphetamine concealed in packing machines seized

Australian Border Force (ABF) officers initiated investigation code-named Operation Nightbird, at the Sydney container examination facility following information on illegal drug import.  They examined a consignment from China and seized approximately 50 kilograms of methamphetamine concealed in packaging equipment. Two Taiwanese men were booked and charged for importing banned items into the country.

Investigation team from Australian Border Force examined a shipment consisting of three pallets comprising of 112 metal rollers forming part of a packaging machine. A white crystalline substance was found within one of the metal rollers during the examination. This made ABF officers suspicious of the consignment.

As a follow up, chemical analysis was conducted and the white crystalline substance turned out to be methamphetamine. The consignment contained approximately 50 kilograms of methamphetamine. The case was subsequently handed over to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) for investigation.

The AFP started with a controlled delivery of the consignment to a residential address in Ashfield. As a result of further investigation, AFP officers searched a storage facility and arrested a 34-year-old Sydney man and a 33-year-old Chippendale man. AFP said these men were key facilitators and organisers for the syndicate.

In addition to this, from a Broadway property occupied by one of the men, 20 kilograms of methamphetamine was seized by the AFP. The potential street value of 70 kilograms of methamphetamine is around $47 million. There is no indication of the involvement of any Sydney customs broker in the importation.

The men involved were charged with one count of importing a commercial quantity of border controlled drug methamphetamine and one count of attempting to possess a commercial quantity of an unlawful imported border controlled drug methamphetamine. According to AFP Manager Crime Operations Paul Osborne this seizure is a clear indication that the Australia is still an attractive destination for drug cartels and there is high demand for Ice in Australia.

ACBPS intercepts cargo consignments – seize weapons, drugs and cash

Execution of Customs warrant at a 37-year-old man’s address in Reservoir led to the discovery of various weapons, illegal drugs, clandestine laboratory equipment, ammunition and cash. The warrant was executed by the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS) officers. The team was assisted by Victoria Police.

ACBPS officers at the Melbourne Gateway Facility intercepted 10 cargo consignments. These consignment came from different countries like the United States, Italy, Hong Kong and China. Search in the consignments yielded illegal items. Seized items were identified as Tier 2 Goods controlled under the Customs Regulations 1926. Items seized were prohibited weapons, including BB Rifles, Airguns and firearms related items. No Sydney customs broker is associated with these imports.

Under the prohibited weapons were items such as 24 prohibited bladed weapons, 13 BB guns, Knuckledusters, Firearm parts and Fireworks and machinery used to manufacture firearms. In the category of drugs Australian Customs and Border Protection Service officers recovered approximately 7 grams of Marijuana and approximately 377 grams of Heroin. They also seized 2 prohibited lasers, 9 handcuffs and 1 teaser. Investigating team also recovered approximately $100,000 in cash.

The man arrested in this connection was charged with the following offences, possessing proceeds of crime, trafficking a commercial quantity of heroin, possessing and using heroin, possessing and using cannabis, possessing a prohibited and controlled weapon, possessing an explosive substance and possessing fireworks while unlicensed. Accused will also face charges from ACBPS under section 233BAB of the Customs Act 1901.

David Nockels, ACPBS National Manager Immigration and Customs Enforcement Branch gave credit to the success of this operation to the intelligence gathered by ACBPS. As a result of the identification by Customs and Border Protection’s Firearms Intelligence Targeting Team, the consignments was marked as high risk. This resulted the issue and subsequent action on the warrant. On the basis of the offences and charges raised, the maximum penalty for importation of weapons is a fine of up to $425,000 and or ten years imprisonment.

150kg of methamphetamine concealed in barrels seized  

Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS) officers together searched a sea freight shipment to Australia from Hong Kong. The shipment was declared to contain chemicals. On follow up
examination of the shipment, ACBPS officers found six barrels marked as chemicals. These barrels had many plastic bags hidden inside.

These plastic bags contained a white crystalline substance. This substance on chemical analysis turned out to be methamphetamine. Additional specialised  forensic testing will determine exact weight and purity of the drug. Initial estimates place the quantity at 150 kilograms and has a potential street value of up to $100 million. Government agencies have not disclosed name of the Sydney custom broker involved in this case.

Methamphetamine – meth for short – is a very addictive stimulant drug. It is a powder that can be made into a pill or a shiny rock (called a crystal). The powder can be eaten or snorted up the nose. It can also be mixed with liquid and injected into your body with a needle.

Crystal methamphetamine (‘ice’) speeds up the messages travelling between the brain and the body. It’s stronger, more addictive and therefore has more harmful side effects than the powder form of methamphetamine known as speed. Ice usually comes as small chunky clear crystals that look like ice. It can also come as white or brownish crystal-like powder with a strong smell and bitter taste. Crystal meth is smoked in a small glass pipe.

As part of the investigation drugs were substituted and delivered to an address in Epping, NSW. This was accepted by a 66-year-old Hong Kong man and was charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug methamphetamine and attempting to possess a commercial quantity of an unlawfully imported border controlled drug methamphetamine. Maximum penalty for these charges can be imprisonment for life, or a fine of $1,275,000, or both.

Eighteen arrested in 12 month Polaris operation

 

Eighteen men, involved in an organised crime syndicate were arrested and charged with more than 80 offences. This was the end result of a  12 month long Polaris waterfront task force operation.

Investigation was initiated on the alleged criminal activities of an individual who worked on the Port Botany waterfront. This was further widened to a number of associated persons involved in drug trafficking, weapon possession and supply and drug cultivation.

On the basis of the investigation 20 search warrants have been executed at locations across Sydney and the NSW south coast. This culminated in the arrests of 18 persons who will face a total of 81 charges. Investigation also included three search warrants at the homes of three suspects and received evidence in relation to drug trafficking and importation.

According to Nick Bingham, Polaris Taskforce commander Detective Superintendent the operation’s outcomes brings out  the success of the Polaris waterfront taskforce. This also shows effective the cooperation between agencies and its ability to control organised crime syndicates within Australia and overseas.

Detective Superintendent Bingham said that from one small piece of information this investigation expanded to a wider area. The investigation team was able to make dozens of charges and seize weapons, drugs and cash. He appealed to the community, especially those working at waterfront facilities.

As result of this exercise 18 persons were charged with 81 offences, seized  73kg of prohibited drugs, 31kg of precursors and 150 cannabis plants. It also resulted in the aeizure of 14,600 cigarettes, seizure of $893,139 cash believed to be the proceeds of crime and seizure of 22 firearms and in excess of 3000 rounds of ammunition. Polaris Taskforce has not disclosed name of any Sydney customs broker in this case.

The men arrested were charged with offences relate to the supply, possession and manufacture of prohibited drugs and precursors. This included possession of instructions and apparatus for the manufacture of prohibited drugs, possession of unregistered or prohibited firearms supply of firearm, possessions of ammunition without authority, possession of stolen goods, possession of property from proceeds of crime, possession of explosives, directing activities of a criminal group, participate in a criminal group and contribute to criminal activity, recklessly deal with proceeds of crime and hindering an investigation.

Ivory from Malawi seized at Perth

One hundred and ten kilograms of ivory was detected and seized by The Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS) officers at Perth. The ivory was detected while examining an Air Cargo shipment from Malawi. This consignment was being transhipped to Malaysia via Perth.

According to Rod O’Donnell, ACBPS Regional Commander Western Australia, Australia has some of the strongest wildlife protection laws in the world and is very meticulously implement in its word and sprit. He also congratulated the officers of the ACBPS for their commendable performance which resulted in the seizure of one hundred and ten kilograms ivory. Involvement of any Perth customs broker in this case is not known.

Australia takes a very serious view on the smuggling of endangered wildlife and wildlife parts. Men and resources are deployed to curb this horrible and cruel trade. The commitment of the officers involved in the seizure shows Australia’s commitment to protecting the world’s endangered wildlife for future generations.

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) aims to ensure that international trade in specimens of wildlife does not threaten their survival. This convention actively provides varying degrees of protection to more than 35,600 species of animals and plants through regulating trade in these species. Australia is part of this convention and ACBPS enforces border controls for Australia’s obligations as a party to the  CITES.

Australia has its own set of rules and regulations to control trade of endangered wildlife, wildlife parts and plants. For example as per the the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, (EPBC Act) the export and import of wildlife products is strictly regulated. This is applicable for domestic trade and also for imports and exports.

For offences related to this trade, the maximum penalty under the EPBC Act is up to 10 years imprisonment. This also attracts a fine of $170,000, for individuals. For corporate entities this fine can go up to $850,000.

Polaris Task force dismantle  drug syndicate, seize 230 kg meth and 250 kg cocaine

Polaris Task force dismantle drug syndicate, seize 230 kg meth and 250 kg cocaine

 

As part of a major multi agency investigation into an international organised crime syndicate, Polaris Joint Waterfront Taskforce (JWT) charged six men with possession of drugs. The joint task force seized 230 kilograms of liquid methylamphetamine and 250 kilograms of cocaine.

The investigation and subsequent action against the crime syndicate was the result of a Polaris Joint Waterfront Taskforce (JWT) investigation. The investigation was a joint effort involving the Australian Federal Police (AFP), the New South Wales Police Force (NSWPF), Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS) and Australian Crime Commission. The team also got active support and close cooperation from law enforcement counterparts in South America.

On the basis of information received, the Polaris JWT seized a consignment of 20,000 bottles of flavoured water with destination to a Sydney warehouse. Australian Federal Police conducted chemical analysis and found that the consignment had 230 kilograms of liquid methylamphetamine concealed within the bottles. Estimated street value of the consignment is approximately $156 million.

In Bogota, the investigation team identified and seized 243 kilograms of cocaine. This contraband was also related to the same syndicate. The consignment was destined for the European market. Cocaine was hidden within cardboard boxes containing flowers.

The Australian joint taskforce also got information on drugs coming to Australia from Colombia. On the basis of this Colombian National Police checked two tonnes of fresh flowers consigned to Sydney. On examination they found 10kg of cocaine. This has a market value of $3.6 million.

The Polaris JWT investigators conducted 11 search warrants across Sydney in March 2015. On the basis of evidence gathered five Australian men and one Spanish/Colombian national were arrested. They were booked for their alleged involvement with this syndicate.

According to Nick Bingham Commander of the Polaris JWT, authorities actively target and disrupt syndicates involved in crime on Australia’s borders. Australian law enforcement, state, federal and international partner agencies cooperate across borders and jurisdictions. Aim is to eliminate organised criminal networks and stop drugs and other illicit commodities in their source countries.