MELBOURNE: ALMOST $50 million of drugs has been seized and three men arrested after allegedly trying to smuggle the haul through Melbourne Airport.
Three Malaysian nationals arrived at Melbourne Airport from Kuala Lumpur where a search discovered a concealment in three suitcases.
A total of 55kg of methamphetamine and 18kg of heroin was allegedly found.
“The potential street value for this quantity of drugs is $36.8 million and $10.1 million respectively,” AFP Acting National Manager of Crime Operations, Paul Osborne, said.
Police followed the delivery of the suitcases to a hotel in Melbourne where all three men were arrested by the AFP.
Two of the men were charged with:
— The importation of a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs
— Attempting to possess a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs
These two men will appear before Melbourne Magistrates Court later today.
The third man is expected to be charged at a later date.
“This was a brazen attempt to smuggle in a quantity of drugs that could have caused immeasurable harm in the community,” acting Assistant Commissioner Paul Osborne said.
“The AFP will continue its work with partner agencies to cut off the supply of drugs by syndicates that seek to profit from the addiction and misery of others.”
ABF Acting Commissioner Michael Outram said this detection was one of the biggest ever seen at an Australian airport.
“This seizure represents one of the largest seizures in Australian history through an Australian international airport, which proves law enforcement agencies are working harder than ever to keep drugs out of our community.”
“Today we have successfully taken an enormous and unprecedented portion off the streets of Victoria and the effects of this great seizure will be seen far and wide across the Australian community,” said Mr Outram.
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