PERTH: Police have seized 321kg of crystal methamphetamine and $1.4 million in cash — the largest seizure of the drug ice in WA history.
Four Hong Kong nationals — two aged just 18 and 19 — have been charged over the massive drug haul.
The drug seizure has an estimated street value of $321 million.
Three of the men are in Australia unlawfully and only one of them has a visitor visa, said police.
A car was pulled over in Willetton resulting in the arrest of an 18-year-old and a raid on a Canning Vale home.
WA Police Acting Deputy Commissioner Michelle Fyfe revealed officers discovered 316kg of ice individually wrapped in 1kg Chinese tea packaging, and hidden in ten suitcases and a sports bag.
Two Canning Vale teenagers, aged 18 and 19, have been charged with possessing the drugs and a substantial quantity of cash.
The search led police to an Adelaide Terrace apartment and a Hay Street hotel room in Perth’s CBD where officers allegedly uncovered more drugs and cash.
In total, the street value of the drugs seized is estimated to be more than $321 million, making it the largest seizure of crystal methamphetamine in WA history.
Mrs Fyfe said this investigation had stopped an alarming quantity of crystal methamphetamine from reaching WA’s streets.
“The harmful impacts of this drug are well documented and a seizure of this size is further evidence of the crystal methamphetamine problem in WA,” she said.
“WA Police and its partner agencies are committed to tackling the supply of this drug. This seizure demonstrates the effectiveness of close working relationships between law enforcement agencies.”
Two more men, aged 21 and 26, have subsequently been charged with similar drug and cash offences.
All four men appeared in the Perth Magistrates Court on Wednesday and are now in custody.
Acting Deputy Commissioner Fyfe said the massive seizure of methamphetamine was part of a joint WA Police and Australian Crime Commission operation.
Mrs Fyfe said the drugs would have resulted in 3.2 million “hits’’of ice if the drug haul had made it onto Perth streets with a potential street value of $321 million.
She praised WA Police and the Australian Crime Commission. The men have all appeared in court and been remanded in custody.
Senior Police, including Acting Commissioner Gary Dreibergs, Acting Deputy Commissioner Michelle Fyfe, ACC Chief Executive Officer Chris Dawson, Federal Justice Minister Michael Keenan and WA Police Minister Liza Harvey fronted a joint media conference on the record seizure.
Earlier Thursday, Liberal candidate for Canning Andrew Hastie said he wants the WA Government to double the mandatory jail sentence for people who endanger children during the manufacture of methamphetamine.
Under the proposal, an adult who harms a child during the manufacture of ice would be handed two years behind bars.
The former SAS captain also called for a fresh look at whether a mandatory jail term should be applied for a first offence if an adult is caught selling ice to a child.
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