Media Release: Joint investigation results in Western Australia's largest methamphetamine seizure
his is a joint media release between the Australian Federal Police, Western Australia Police, the Australian Crime Commission, and the Australian Customs and Border Protection.
A total of 90 kilograms of methamphetamine was seized yesterday and six people arrested in a joint operation between the Australian Federal Police (AFP) Western Australia Police (WAPOL), the Australian Crime Commission (ACC) and the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS).
The joint investigation began in July 2014 into a South-East Asian-based syndicate suspected to be sending members to Australia in order to facilitate the importation and trafficking of crystal methamphetamine.
On 29 July 2014, as a result of Eligo national taskforce information, a seizure of 117kgs of crystal methamphetamine was made in an inner-city Melbourne apartment. Four Taiwanese nationals were arrested and charged with offences relating to the possession of the crystal methamphetamine.
During the investigation, it was identified that a number of Taiwanese nationals suspected to be members of the international syndicate had arrived in Australia.
As a result of intelligence gathered, a joint operation was conducted in Western Australia, with operational activity occurring yesterday (9 October 2014).
Three search warrants were executed in the suburbs of Queens Park and Cloverdale in Western Australia, resulting in the seizure of approximately 90 kilograms of methamphetamine.
Three large plastic hessian bags containing approximately 85 kilograms of a substance believed to be methamphetamine were located in an apartment in Queens Park. Three male Taiwanese nationals including a 25-year-old, 24-year-old and a 20-year-old were arrested for their alleged roles in trafficking the drugs.
They will face the Perth Magistrates Court today (Friday 10 October), each charged with one count of trafficking a commercial quantity of a controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to section 302.2 of the Criminal Code Act (Cth) 1995.
A further five kilograms of methamphetamine was also seized during an additional search warrant in Cloverdale. Three male Taiwanese nationals, including a 25-year-old, and two 27-year-olds, were each charged with possess a prohibited drug with intent to sell or supply, contrary to Section 6(1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981.
These three men will also face the Perth Magistrates Court today (Friday 10 October).
AFP Acting Manager Perth Office Matt Rippon said the AFP has a strong relationship with WAPOL, the ACC and other partner agencies in combatting the impact of organized crime on the Australian community.
“This multi-agency operation has disrupted a serious and organised crime syndicate operating within Australia, and is testament to our combined determination to target and disrupt syndicates involved in the drug trade in Australia,” Commander Rippon said.
“This seizure serves to reduce the social damage to individuals and the wider community that could have been caused by such a large amount of the addictive drug reaching the streets of Western Australia.”
Australian Crime Commission Chief Executive Officer, Chris Dawson, said intelligence was provided by the ACC-led Eligo National Task Force which tracks organised criminals through their illicit money flows.
“This 90 kilogram seizure could have resulted in 900,000 street deals of methamphetamine with an estimated street value of $63 million,” Mr Dawson said.
“This is one of the most damaging drugs available in Australia, so to have more than 90 kilograms removed before it hits our streets is a massive win for law enforcement, but more importantly, the Australian community.
Western Australia Police Acting Commissioner Stephen Brown said this seizure highlighted the need to target the illicit drug trade.
“Too many West Australian families have been exposed to the misery and crime associated with methamphetamine addiction and a seizure of this magnitude highlights the need for us to continue to apply pressure on those involved in the illicit drug trade,” Acting Commissioner Brown said.
Australian Customs and Border Protection Service Regional Commander Western Australia, Rod O’Donnell, said that Customs and Border Protection is pleased to be part of the taskforce that was responsible for this successful operation.
“Customs and Border Protection’s priority is to protect our borders and to prevent dangerous substances, such as ice, from reaching our streets. Well done to our colleagues at ACC, AFP and WAPOL on another successful job,” Mr O’Donnell said.
The maximum penalty for these offences is life imprisonment.
http://www.afp.gov.au/media-centre/...stralias-largest-methamphetamine-seizure.aspx
