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The Australian/NZ Drug Busts Mega-Thread Part Triforce

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Woman charged for importing cocaine in suitcase

A 21-year-old United States citizen has been arrested at Sydney Airport for importing cocaine into Australia.

She is scheduled to appear in Central Local Court today.

Customs and Border Protection officers stopped the woman for questioning when she arrived at Sydney International Airport on a flight from Buenos Aires yesterday (26 April 2011).

During a baggage examination, officers found a substance concealed in the lining of her suitcase.

Initial testing indicated the presence of illicit drugs.

The woman was referred to the Australian Federal Police, and charged with importing a marketable quantity of a border controlled drug, namely cocaine contrary to section 307.2(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995.

The maximum penalty for this offence is 25 years imprisonment and/or a $550,000 fine.

Further forensic testing will be undertaken to confirm the exact weight and purity of the substance.

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Woman charged for importing heroin

A 33-year-old Cabramatta woman is scheduled to appear in Parramatta Children’s Court today charged with importing one kilogram of heroin.

This seizure followed the arrest of a 63-year-old Lakemba man on Saturday (23 April) for importing one kilogram of heroin in an identical circumstance, an identical suitcase and identical flight, but arriving one day earlier.

Customs and Border Protection officers discovered the consignment hidden inside the wall of woman’s suitcase yesterday following a routine baggage inspection at Sydney International Airport.

The matter was referred to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) who took possession of the consignment which contained approximately one kilogram of heroin.

The woman has been charged with importing a marketable quantity of a border controlled drug contrary to Section 307.2 of the Criminal Code Act 1995.

The maximum penalty for these offences is 25 years imprisonment and/or a $550,000 fine.

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Clan labs dismantled - Braybrook and Sydenham

Police have dismantled two clandestine laboratories in Braybrook and Sydenham today following an investigation into the manufacture and trafficking of amphetamines throughout the Melbourne metropolitan area and the La Trobe Valley.

This follows a joint operation by the Clandestine Laboratory Squad and Morwell District Response Unit investigating what can be described as an organised syndicate involved in the manufacture and trafficking of amphetamines.

As part of the investigation five warrants were executed in Morwell yesterday afternoon including one at a hotel on Princess Way.

Another four warrants were executed yesterday on residential homes in Ashburton, Braybrook, Sydenham and Somerville.

Drugs, cash, a replica firearm and the two clandestine laboratories were uncovered during the raids.

In what concludes yesterday’s operation a 40-year-old Morwell man has been charged with trafficking a commercial quantity of amphetamines, traffic ecstasy and cannabis, possession of a hand gun and other minor charges. He is expected to appear before the Morwell Magistrates Court today.

Three other Morwell men aged 30, 38 and 40 have been charged with trafficking amphetamines and been bailed by police to appear at the Morwell Magistrates Court on 12 July.

A 47-year-old man from Somerville arrested yesterday in Ashburton has been released pending further enquiries and a 35-year-old woman from Braybrook has been charged with traffic a drug of dependence and possess articles for the purpose of manufacturing a drug of dependence. The woman was bailed by police to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates Court on 4 May.

A 54-year-old man from Ashburton remains in custody and is assisting police with their enquiries.

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Drug lord Moradian plays the dad card

IF ever there was proof that money can't buy you everything, this is it.

Cocaine king Alen Moradian enjoyed a lavish lifestyle in his Sydney "Versace palace" surrounded by luxury and big boys' toys.

Yesterday the drug king pin made an unusual plea for leniency, saying he was trying to father a child from jail but feared it was too late.

Moradian, dubbed the "Tony Soprano" of Australia's cocaine trade, faced a sentencing hearing that heard his claim that he had been severely addicted to crack cocaine.

The Crown alleges Moradian was a key player in a syndicate that brought 200kg of cocaine in from the US, although he admits only to the importation of 40kg. He has also pleaded guilty to dealing with $1.6 million, the proceeds of his crimes.

When police swooped on the cartel, arresting a number of people including Moradian's second wife Natasha, they found their West Pennant Hills house decked out in flashy Versace furnishings.

They also found a gold-plated magnum gun, luxury cars, motorbikes, boats and millions in cash.

Psychologist Tim Watson-Munro told the court Moradian had described a "chronic crack cocaine addiction" and long-term alcohol, marijuana and prescription drug abuse.

"He smoked crack cocaine every day for years," Mr Watson-Munro told the District Court.

The drug abuse meant his "judgment was impaired, but not to the extent that he was out of touch with reality", the psychologist said.

Fiona Gray, for the Crown, said Moradian had invented the drug abuse, with records revealing he had previously denied addictions and had not needed treatment for withdrawal.

Mrs Moradian also faces a jail sentence, having pleaded guilty to dealing with the proceeds of crime.

Both their cases before Judge Andrew Haesler will resume later this year.

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Woman arrested over $1m cannabis seizure

A Sydney woman has been arrested following the discovery of a $1 million cannabis plantation at her home.

Police entered the house at Casula yesterday and confiscated 250 cannabis plants with a street value of over $1 million.

The 26-year-old has been charged with running an indoor drug plantation.

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Drug charges, Barellan Point

Police have charged two men with drug related offences after allegedly locating a clandestine drug laboratory at Barellan Point yesterday.

A search warrant was executed at a house in Stuart Street around 5.20pm and police allegedly located illicit drug equipment inside the residence.

A 32-year-old North Ipswich man was charged with one count each of produce dangerous drugs and possession of a thing used in the commission of a crime, and two counts of possession of a relevant substance or thing.

A 27-year-old Barellan Point man was charged with one count each of produce dangerous drugs, receiving tainted property, possession of a thing used in the commission of a crime, and unlawful possession of weapons. He was also charged with two counts of possession of a relevant substance or thing.

Both men are due to appear in the Ipswich Magistrates Court today.

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Newcastle Police charge man following investigation into large-scale drug supply

Police have arrested and charged a man following a four-month investigation into drug supply in and around Newcastle.

In January this year, officers attached to the Newcastle City Drug Unit launched ‘Operation Britain’ to investigate the large-scale supply of amphetamines and cannabis in the local area.

Following exhaustive inquiries, police today executed a search warrant on a house in Ulan Road, North Lambton.

They allegedly located and seized quantities of amphetamines and cannabis, a sum of cash, scales and stolen property, including jewellery, pushbikes and power tools.

Two stun devices were also allegedly found at the residence.
nA 46-year-old man was arrested at the scene and taken to Waratah Police Station, where he was subsequently charged with 18 offences relating to drugs supply and the proceeds of crime.

He’s been refused bail to appear in Newcastle Local Court tomorrow (Tuesday 3 May).

Investigations are ongoing and police have not ruled out further arrests and charges.

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Police seize kilograms of cannabis

Police have arrested two men and seized more than 20 kilograms of cannabis in the Perth suburb of Welshpool.

Police say the drugs, with an estimated street value of $500,000, were discovered after they searched a prime mover and a utility on Riversdale Road on Friday.

Also seized was $10,000 in cash.

A 38-year-old man from South Yunderup, who was in the ute, and a 64-year-old man from Welshpool who was driving the prime mover, face a string of drug charges including possession with intent to sell or supply.

It is alleged the drugs had been transported from South Australia.

The seizure is the latest in an operation to target interstate drug trafficking.

Detective Senior Sergeant Steve Bertoli says large quantities of drugs are being trafficked into Western Australia.

"Once again it highlights the fact that WA remains a target of interstate drug traffickers and I think they obviously see this state as a burgeoning market for illicit drugs," he said.

Last month, police seized nearly 30 kilograms of cannabis after stopping three trucks in the Goldfields en route from Adelaide.

In that incident, four men, including three South Australians, were arrested and charged.
 
Drug dealer jailed after high speed car chase

A Newcastle drug dealer who threw stolen goods out of a car during a high speed police chase will spend at least three years in jail.

34-year-old Gregory Hanson was clocked at speeds of up to 185-kilometres an hour when he led police on a 23km chase between Jesmond and Thornton in August, 2010.

The district court was told police begun pursuing Hanson's car when they noticed a rear bumper bar was missing.

But Hanson did not stop and the court was told he threw credit cards and other stolen goods out of the car window as he sped off.

After his arrest his car was searched, and police found $6,500 in cash as well as packets of methylamphetamine and stolen goods.

During sentencing yesterday, Judge Penelope Hock criticised Hanson's risky behaviour before sentencing him to four-and-a half-years jail, with three years non-parole.

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Four men arrested in drug raids

Northern Territory Police say they have disrupted the supply of cannabis in Darwin after raiding properties in a rural area.

Drug and organised crime officers targeted several properties during a three-week operation last month.

Four men were arrested after police seized 105 cannabis plants and four hydroponic set-ups in separate raids.

Superintendent Andrew Pusterla says it was a successful operation.

"These are significant seizures," he said.

"People who cultivate, manufacture and distribute illicit drugs are always a target for NT Police.

"We will continue to target and pursue criminals who profit from the illicit drug trade.''

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Wicks sentencing delayed again

There are further delays in the case of former Newcastle Knights player and drug dealer, Danny Wicks, with his sentencing adjourned in Newcastle District Court.

The former Newcastle Knights forward looked visibly slimmer compared to his league-playing days as his matter was mentioned today in the district court.

The 25-year-old travelled from his north coast home on the belief he would be sentenced today, after pleading guilty last year to three counts of supplying illegal drugs.

But Wicks will not learn his fate until July 28, when the matter is listed for sentencing before Judge Ralph Coolahan.

Wearing a suit and tie, Wicks was flanked by supporters and made the religious sign of the cross on his chest as he was given continuing bail.

He refused to comment on the matter when approached outside court before being ushered into a waiting car.

Outside court his barrister, Paul Rosser said his client is under enormous strain.

"It's disappointing it has to be adjourned again, but these things happen, he said.

"There's a fair bit of strain, coming to court expecting to be going to jail and then being sent away, so it's tough.

Wicks' brother Brett has already been jailed for drug offences.

Wicks quit the Knights shortly after being arrested, while his former team-mate, Chris Houston is back playing with the Knights after charges against him were dropped.

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Highways targeted in illicit drug operation

Police in the Wheatbelt have charged more than 80 people with transporting illicit drugs along major highways in the past six months.

The charges were laid as part of a continuing operation targeting the trafficking of drugs along the Great Eastern, Great Northern and Brand Highways.

Sergeant Paul World from Dalwallinu Police says last week officers seized more than 120 grams of cannabis in a random traffic stop.

He says the operation has been very successful and will continue.

"Drugs generally have to be conveyed one way or another and road use in our experience tends to be one of the big ones," he said.

"As a result, officers in the Wheatbelt target these highways with the view of trying to remove some of these illicit drugs off the road," he said.

Sergeant World says he is worried about the large number of people driving under the influence of drugs.

"It's good that we're actually making an impact with what we're detecting but at the same time it's disappointing in the volume of people that appear to be consuming the drugs while they're travelling," he said.

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Drug supply charges after police raid Lambton house

A man has been charged with multiple drug offences after a four month investigation into the supply of illegal drugs in the Newcastle area.

Operation Britain was launched by Newcastle police in January to investigate the large-scale supply of amphetamines and cannabis.

Police search a house in Ulan Road, Lambton yesterday and arrested a 46-year-old man.

Police allegedly seized quantities of cannabis and amphetamines, a sum of cash, stolen property and two stun devices.

The man has been charged with 18 offences and will face Newcastle Local Court today.

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[NZ] Drug law overhaul criticised for giving offenders 'free life'

A call to cut back on charges for minor drug crime has been written off as giving offenders a "free life" by the Police Association.

A wide-ranging Law Commission review issued yesterday proposed a complete overhaul of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 which governs prosecution of drug offences in New Zealand.

It recommended issuing formal warnings to low level drug offenders instead of putting them through criminal courts, called for new laws regulating the production of drugs such as party pills, and a study into legalising cannabis for medicinal use.

Police Association president Greg O'Connor said letting low-level drug offenders off with a formal warning would encourage more young people to take up drugs.

"The problem with that is you are essentially giving people two lives. That's not going to disincentivise the people we don't want to take up drugs, which is the youth.

"I think you'd see more drug use. You're saying to them you get a free life on your first offence."


Road safety studies had shown people did not stop committing crimes until penalties were imposed, Mr O'Connor said.

"Warnings just don't have any effect. I don't see why it would be any different with drug offences."

Mr O'Connor agreed with the report's focus on health and drug demand reduction, but said any moves to divert drug offenders to rehabilitation services instead of the courts had to be balanced with beefed-up police powers.

Police should be empowered to force those they caught using drugs to get help, he said.

Law Commission president Grant Hammond said putting low-level drug offenders through the criminal courts is costly and causes "disproportionate" harm to those convicted.

"There are adverse social consequences from a distinctly punitive approach to lower level offending. Quite large numbers of young New Zealanders receive criminal convictions - which might subsist for life - as a result of minor drug offences. This is a disproportionate response to the harm those offences cause.

"More can be done through the criminal justice system to achieve better outcomes for those individuals and for society at large."

Associate health minister Peter Dunne welcomed the report - but said the Government needed time to consider its recommendations.

He agreed the Misuse of Drugs Act was outdated and deficient and needed changing.

"The existing Act fails to adequately address the rapidly expanding market for new psychoactive substances, such as party pills and smokeable products.

"We need a robust regime in place to prevent the easy availability of uncontrolled substances.

"The Law Commission was tasked with considering options for developing such a regime and I look forward to fully examining its recommendations and weighing up how to best provide a greater health focus and deal with drug addicts."

Key proposals in the report:

• A mandatory cautioning scheme for all personal possession and use offences that come to the attention of the police, removing minor drug offenders from the criminal justice system and providing greater opportunities for those in need of treatment to access it.

• A full scale review of the current drug classification system which is used to determine restrictiveness of controls and severity of penalties, addressing existing inconsistencies and focusing solely on assessing a drug's risk of harm, including social harm.

• Making separate funding available for the treatment of offenders through the justice sector to support courts when they impose rehabilitative sentences to address alcohol and drug dependence problems.

• Consideration of a pilot drug court, allowing the government to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of deferring sentencing of some offenders until they had undergone court-imposed alcohol and/or drug treatment.

Reaction to the review:

Green Party leader Metiria Turei:

"Current drug law is 35 years out-of-date and is hurting our families.

"Too many resources are directed into criminalising people rather than providing them with the medical help they most need.

"The Law Commission's report recognises this and seeks to redress it by adopting a harm reduction approach for dealing with personal drug use by adults.

"This new approach, if adopted, will actually save money enabling greater resources to be directed into health services for breaking the cycle of drug abuse and addiction. It will also free police to tackle more serious crime."

Family First director Bob McCoskrie:

"A weak-kneed approach to drug use will simply send all the wrong messages that small amounts of drug use or dealing aren't that big a deal - the completely wrong message, especially for younger people. A cautioning scheme will simply be held in contempt by users, and fails to acknowledge the harm done by drug use which is undetected.

"The report is correct to call for better treatment facilities for addiction and mental illness, but a zero-tolerance approach to the use of drugs combined with treatment options is a far better solution."

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[NZ] Drug accused's 'aunty's' Argentina trip rejected

A woman who drug-trafficking accused Sharon Armstrong calls "aunty" says she wants to go Argentina to support her.

Ms Armstrong, 54, a former Maori Language Commission deputy chief executive, was arrested on April 13 after Buenos Aires Airport police allegedly found 5kg cocaine hidden in her suitcase.

Ms Armstrong has said she did not know about the drugs and was tricked by a man she met online.

She is being held in a medium-security women's detention centre in Ezeiza, about 30km southwest of Buenos Aires.

Jean Ruakere, aged 77, said she yesterday called on the Government to send her and Ms Armstrong's daughter to Argentina to provide emotional support but was refused.

Ms Ruakere, who cared for Ms Armstrong and her two siblings when her mother was sick, told the Taranaki Daily News she had spoken with her while in prison and believed she had been "duped" into carrying the drugs.


She said Ms Armstrong, who had no friends in Argentina, needed support and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade's refusal was a blow.

Speaking to NZPA from jail last week, Ms Armstrong said she needed help but was reluctant to talk about her case because she feared for her safety.

"I'm just a little bit concerned that this might be a lot bigger. I've never been involved in anything like this ever before."

She refused to name the man who she said scammed her.

"I'm not wanting to protect him, but I'm not prepared to name any names for fear of any retribution."

Ms Armstrong said reports she was carrying four drivers' licences when arrested were wrong.

She had three licences - New Zealand, Australian, and Cook Islands - with her at the time.

She said the Australian licence was for when she visited family, and the $10 Cook Islands licence had expired.

Staff from the New Zealand embassy in Buenos Aires had visited her in prison and had given her a Spanish dictionary, magazines and writing paper so she could write a journal.

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Specialised drug courts aim to cut reoffending

Two specialised drug courts will be set up in Auckland by early next year, targeting addictions in a bid to dramatically reduce recidivism.

The courts would be a first for New Zealand, as they would be different from the Drug Court based at the Christchurch Youth Court.

Drug courts overseas have had generally positive results in turning around the lives of offenders, with some dramatic cases.

"One guy now has a doctorate. One is a district attorney. They were users on serious drug matters," said District Court Judge Lisa Tremewan, who is leading the initiative with District Court Judge Ema Aitken.

"Obviously that's not going to be everyone, but it can happen, and it's better than what we're doing now," Judge Tremewan said.

She said the courts had made an impact on recidivism rates overseas, and it was a "no brainer" to introduce them to New Zealand.

"The real question is why we haven't done this sooner."

One 2006 study showed drug courts in the United States and Canada had reduced crime rates by between 8 and 26 per cent.


A 2008 report on the Drug Court in New South Wales found offenders were 38 per cent less likely to be reconvicted of a drug offence, and 17 per cent less likely to be reconvicted of any offence.

About 80 per cent of criminal offending in New Zealand happens under the influence of alcohol or drugs, but the justice system orders treatment only as or after a sentence is imposed.

Drug assessments for offenders on probation or community sentences rely on self-reporting, meaning offenders can claim to be clean and are taken at their word.

A important difference in a Drug Court would be to engage an offender before sentencing.

A court-based clinician would test and assess an offender - at present this is rarely done - and the court would include wrap-around services in an individual plan of frequent intervention and mandatory drug tests.

Judge Tremewan said the offender would be sentenced after completing the plan.

If they had showed real progress, the outcome could be a reduced or suspended sentence.

"The goal is to get them clean and reduce recidivism," she said.

"People would be taken aback if they realised the extent to which the courts see repeat drink drivers. "We know from the research overseas that the drug court is most effective with the hardest group.

"We want to target heavy-duty criminals. Otherwise we'll be using a sledgehammer to crack a peanut."

"These are people who often have done prison before, and nothing has worked.

"The court has the ability to hold the hope for them until such a time as they can hold it themselves. That may sound airy-fairy, but that happens."

The Law Commission, in its review of the Misuse of Drugs Act, supported a pilot for drug courts, subject to available funding.

A spokesman for Justice Minister Simon Power said the minister was in Australia and could not comment, but he was aware of discussions about drug courts.

TARGETING ADDICTS

The judiciary is setting up two Drug Courts in Auckland by next year.

What are they?

Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Courts

Based in a District Court. An offender with an addiction problem meets criteria - including admitting their offending - and is sent to a Drug Court.

Benefits

Drug Courts can demand mandatory drug testing and drug assessments, frequent intervention and the involvement of community services such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, and treatment programmes.

Results

Properly resourced Drug Courts can reduce crime by up to 26 per cent, research shows.

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5 arrested for drugs, Belmont and Gold Coast

Detectives from the State Crime Operations Command State Drug Investigation Unit intercepted two offenders on the corner of London and Belmont roads, Belmont Saturday morning around 7.30am.

Police allegedly seized a number of MDMA tablets and other property from a 35-year-old man from Murrumba Downs and a 36-year-old from Birkdale.

They were co-jointly charged with possessing dangerous drugs. The 35-year-old man was further charged with trafficking dangerous drugs and driving whilst disqualified.

In a separate incident, detectives executed a search warrant on a property in Mudgeeraba after a protracted investigation in relation to the production and possession of cannabis in October last year.

A 33-year-old man from Mudgeeraba and a 69-year-old man from Mermaid Waters were both charged with producing dangerous drugs, possessing dangerous drugs and possessing things used in the production of dangerous drugs.

Police also executed a search warrant at a Carrara address where a 41-year-old man was allegedly in possession of cannabis.

He was charged with possess dangerous drugs and possess utensil.

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Woman charged for importing illicit drugs concealed internally

A 35-year-old Malaysian woman has been arrested by police at Gold Coast Airport for importing heroin into Australia.
The woman is scheduled to appear in Southport Magistrates Court this morning (4 May 2011).

The woman was stopped for questioning by Customs and Border Protection officers when she arrived at the International Arrivals hall after disembarking from a flight from Kuala Lumpur on Sunday (1 May 2011).

During questioning Customs and Border Protection officers became suspicious that the woman may have been concealing drugs internally.

The woman was referred to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and taken to hospital for medical examination.

Scans revealed numerous foreign items concealed in the woman’s intestines and she later allegedly passed 75 tightly-wrapped packages of a substance believed to be heroin.

The woman was charged with importing a marketable quantity of a border controlled drug, contrary to section 307.2 of the Criminal Code Act 1995.

The maximum penalty for this offence is 25 years imprisonment and/or a $550,000 fine.

Further forensic testing will be undertaken to confirm the composition of the substance as well as its exact weight and purity.


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Man charged with drug supply – Green Valley

A man will appear in court today after he was charged with drug related offences in Sydney’s south-west yesterday.

About 11am, police stopped a Ford Falcon on Sadleir Avenue, Sadleir, for a random breath test and after speaking with the occupants a search of the car was conducted.

A 29-year-old man was arrested after police allegedly located cannabis and amphetamine in the car.

A short time later, officers attached to Green Valley Local Area Command executed a search warrant at a house on Falcon Circuit, Green Valley.

It is alleged police, with the assistance of a drug dog, located and seized a quantity of amphetamines and cannabis, as well as numerous items of drug paraphernalia.

The man was taken to Green Valley Police Station where he was subsequently charged with two counts of drug supply (indictable quantity) and receive stolen property.

He’s been refused bail to appear in Liverpool Local Court today.

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Record ice haul as strong dollar sees drug syndicates target Australian market

Police have seized a record 230kg of ice worth an estimated $50 million and charged four men over an alleged drug syndicate that operated out of a Clovelly apartment block.
The Australian Federal Police said they began watching the men late last year following a tip off from their European counterparts.
On one occasion they watched as two of the men allegedly delivered 50kg of methamphetamine, more commonly known as ice, through Sydney's eastern suburbs.
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They also tracked the men, which included two Australians, a Dutch national and a Belgium national, to Perth, via Victoria and South Australia.
Two of the men were charged in March with the other two arrested this week.
Subsequent raids on properties by police allegedly uncovered 170kg of the drug secreted in a Mercedes van parked in a garage at a Clovelly apartment.
Australian Federal Police Assistant Commissioner Kevin Zuccato said in total 239kg of ice was allegedly found, with an estimated street value of $50 million, as well as a loaded semi-automatic weapon.
It is believed the drugs were manufactured overseas and then brought into Australia via the ports.
Further arrests were likely, he said.
"In Australia I think we have cut them off at the knees," he said.
"This is a large syndicate. This is a large seizure."
The previous largest seizure of methamphetamine in Australia was 219kg made in Melbourne in 2008.
Strong dollar
Police said drug syndicates are targeting the Australian market thanks to the strong dollar, with seizures of narcotics spiking dramatically.
The Australian Federal Police said they have jointly seized more than 1.8 tonnes of drugs since July last year, an increase of more than 600kg on the previous financial year.
Seizures include 692kg of cocaine, up 76 per cent on the last financial year, 431kg of amphetamine, up 44 per cent, and 315kg of heroin, an increase of 128 per cent.
Assistant Commissioner Zuccato said these seizures should send a message to drug gangs.

"Organised crime syndicates no doubt look at Australia and see a lucrative drug market and a strong currency compared to the US dollar," he said.
"But they should also be looking over their shoulders."


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