Methamphetamine concealed in porcelain toilets seized

From a consignment of 70 boxes of porcelain toilets at the Melbourne Container Examination Facility, law enforcement agencies seized 50 kilograms of methamphetamine. This was the result of a joint operation between the Australian Federal Police (AFP), Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS), Australian Crime Commission (ACC) and Victoria Police.

The 50 kilograms of methamphetamine seized can be converted into approximately 500,000 street deals. The estimated street value is approximately AUD $50 million. A Melbourne man was arrested in this connection. Police allege that the 33-year-old Kings Park man was responsible for facilitating the importation of the methamphetamine.

Investigation started in July 2014 and ACBPS officers intercepted and x-rayed a consignment of 70 boxes of porcelain toilets at the Melbourne Container Examination Facility. In the examination that followed, 17 packages of a crystalline substance was found in two boxes. The packets weighted approximately three kilograms and testing proved the substance was methamphetamine. The Taskforce did not reveal identity of any Sydney Customs Broker related to this case.

Following this, Joint Organised Crime Taskforce (JOCTF), established to target organised crime operating in Victoria, took charge of the investigation.  The Taskforce allege that the methamphetamine were moved to the 33-year-old man’s mother’s Kings Park residence and the 33-year-old man was arrested at Southbank following the JOCTF investigation.

In addition to this, AFP and Victoria Police executed search warrants on six premises in Kings Park, Taylors Hill, Southbank, South Melbourne and Tullamarine. They seized approximately $70,000 cash and three casino chips valued at $1000 each.

The arrested 33-year-old man will be charged by the AFP for the following offences. Importing a commercial quantity border controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to subsection 307.1(1) of the Criminal Code(Cth). Attempting to possess commercial quantities of border controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to sections 307.5 and 11.1 of the Criminal Code (Cth). The accused can get a maximum penalty of life imprisonment for the offences charged.