$1.15 billion worth of meth bound for Australia seized
Sydney, Australia, June 15 (EFE).- A joint operation between Australian and Canadian authorities seized more than six tons of methamphetamine, valued at more than $1.15 billion, destined for the oceanic country.
Australian Federal Police reported Thursday in a statement the arrest of six people involved in the operation after carrying out several searches in Melbourne and other locations countrywide.
Two arrested will be prosecuted for trying to import drugs, while the rest – including an American – for buying drugs in large quantities, the police said.
The liquid crystals of methamphetamine, hidden in canola oil containers, were confiscated by Canadian authorities in four operations between December and June.
Hilda Sirec, Australian Federal Police deputy commissioner, said the arrests were possible because authorities substituted one of the shipments with innocuous substances to identify the suspected criminals in Australia and their connection to international mafias.
“Transnational organized crime groups constitute a threat to national security,” Sirec said, linking suspicions about alliances between “some state agents” with mafias to distribute drugs “in an attempt to undermine societies and democracy.”
Australian Federal Police said this seizure, one of the largest of this drug in Oceania, is equivalent to about 19 million doses.
The seizure comes after authorities in Australia – one of the world’s most lucrative destinations for international mafias – reported in October it had seized some 1.8 tons of methamphetamine, in a joint operation with Hong Kong authorities. EFE
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