Joint operation leads to significant methamphetamine seizure

Stephen — Wed, 12 Aug 2020 06:22:47 +0000

Joint operation leads to significant methamphetamine seizure Stephen Wed, 2020-08-12 16:22

05 September 2017

Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, South Australia Police, Western Australia Police

Yalata Police have uncovered approximately 10 kilograms of methamphetamine in a hire vehicle bound for Ceduna.

About 5.30pm on Saturday, 2 September, a patrol acting on information received from West Australia Police and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) stopped and searched the vehicle at Nundroo, unearthing a large quantity of methamphetamine, commonly referred to as ‘Ice’.

Police will allege the seizure could have a street value of up to 10 million dollars.

With the assistance of Penong Police and Ceduna CIB members, Yalata Police arrested two male occupants of the vehicle.

Two men from New South Wales; a 29-year-old man from West Ryde and a 29-year-old man from Homebush, were charged with possessing a large commercial quantity of a controlled drug.

The pair has been denied police bail. Officers from SAPOL’s Serious and Organised Crime Branch have travelled to Ceduna to assist with the investigation.

The seizure is directly linked to strategies enabled under the National Law Enforcement Methlyamphetamine Strategy, and its associated action plan known as Operation VITREUS.

Detective Chief Inspector Tony Crameri, Officer in Charge of Serious and Organised Crime Branch, has praised the diligent efforts of local SAPOL members and their interstate counterparts.

“We have achieved this significant outcome as a direct result of knowledge shared by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, via Western Australia Police.

“This seizure serves to highlight the outstanding results we can achieve given a tactical, coordinated multi-agency response to the scourge of illicit drugs, particularly Ice, on our streets.

“It is timely to remind the community that any person seeking to traffic illicit drugs can face penalties up to $500,000, and/or life imprisonment”, said Detective Chief Inspector Crameri.

Illicit drugs

Methylamphetamine

Ice

Victorian joint agency task force unhinges meth importation plan

Stephen — Wed, 12 Aug 2020 06:21:44 +0000

Victorian joint agency task force unhinges meth importation plan Stephen Wed, 2020-08-12 16:21

08 September 2017

Australian Border Force, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, Australian Federal Police

Three men have been arrested by the Victorian Joint Organised Crime Task Force (JOCTF), following an alleged attempt to import 17 kilograms of methamphetamine concealed within a consignment of door hinges.

Investigations began in August 2017, after the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) identified a number of Malaysian nationals suspected of planning a drug importation.

A consignment arrived via air cargo into Sydney containing door hinges. An examination of the hinges by Australian Border Force (ABF) officers revealed approximately 17 kilograms of a crystal substance secreted inside.

Presumptive testing returned a positive result for methamphetamine – further forensic analysis will be conducted to determine the exact weight and purity of the seizure.

The JOCTF conducted further investigations, and yesterday (7 September 2017) arrested three Malaysian men – 35-year-old, a 31-year-old and a 28-year-old – in Chifley, New South Wales.

The men have been charged with importing a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs and attempt to possess a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs, and are due to appear at Sydney Central Local Court today (8 September 2017).

The maximum penalty for these offences is life imprisonment.

Australian Federal Police Commander Bruce Hill, Manager Organised Crime, said the JOCTF had acted swiftly to make the arrests.

“As a result of intelligence, the JOCTF has been able to identify the alleged suspects connected to this investigation and make these arrests, showing just how closely our agencies are working together to combat organised crime,” Commander Hill said.

Victoria Police Acting Commander Peter De Santo said this is a great example of swift action through joint collaboration with all agencies involved.

ABF Regional Commander Victoria, James Watson, said this operation has achieved a terrific outcome that continues to highlight the success of the collaborative approach to fighting organised crime.

“As this case once again shows, organised criminal syndicates are using sophisticated smuggling methodologies in an attempt to evade ABF scrutiny, but our officers have the expertise and technology to detect even the most elaborate concealment.”

ACIC Victorian State Manager, Jason Halls, said these arrests show that methyl amphetamine is an attractive market for organised crime groups in Australia.

“We are committed to working with our partner agencies to connect, discover, understand and respond to the threat and harm caused by these illicit activities.”

The Victorian JOCTF is a team of specialists targeting organised crime from the Australian Federal Police (AFP), Victoria Police (VICPOL), the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) and Australian Border Force (ABF).

Media enquiries
AFP National Media (02) 6131 6333
ABF Media (02) 6264 2244
Victoria Police Media (03) 9247 5205
Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (02) 6268 7343

Illicit drugs

Methylamphetamine

Ice