A Sydney man is facing life in prison after an anonymous tip led police to 900 kilograms of methamphetamine smuggled into Australia inside industrial machines from the United States.
Police received a call to Crime Stoppers last month alerting them to an alleged drug importation into Port Botany. The United States’ Homeland Security Investigations also passed on information to their Australian counterparts that indicated the drugs may have been imported from the US.
The machines were imported into Port Botany. Credit: Australian Federal Police
Australian Border Force officers inspected a shipping container at Port Botany on July 22, where they discovered two computer numerical control machines – a machine commonly used for manufacturing.
Drug dogs indicated the presence of illicit drugs and border force officers drilled through the concrete and metal of the machines, where they discovered a white substance.
Australian Federal Police officers opened up the machines and discovered 896 kilograms of methamphetamine wrapped in small packages, a quantity that police estimate equates to almost 9 million individual street deals worth $828 million.
Police allege the drugs were intended to be distributed “across the eastern seaboard”.
A south-west Sydney man has been charged for his alleged involvement.Credit: Australian Federal Police
Police officers removed the drugs and allowed the machines to be delivered to their intended recipient in Warwick Farm.
Police will allege two men opened the container on July 31 and began to handle its contents. Officers pounced and both were arrested.
Source Agencies
