45kg meth intercepted: Customs stop drugs from Mexico bound for Melbourne, Australia

A massive and potentially devastating shipment of ice destined for Melbourne streets has been intercepted before reaching Australian shores in a major international drug bust.

The 45kg methamphetamine shipment was intercepted on April 16 by custom authorities in Hong Kong, and was originally sent from Mexico with a Melbourne delivery address.

The illicit and highly addictive drugs were found in a thermoforming machine which is used to mould plastic in package manufacturing.

Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers stationed in Mexico and Hong Kong shared intelligence with local authorities via the International Liaison Officer Network, which led to the seizure.

AFP Detective Superintendent Patrick Gordon said the shipment “had the potential to cause significant harm” to Australians.

“Unfortunately, these international criminal syndicates care only about lining their pockets, not the irreversible harm they cause,” he said.

Det. Supt. Gordon said Hong Kong was becoming a “popular transit point” for drug shipments coming from Central America, with Australia a key market.

“Unfortunately drug cartels continue to target Australia in response to the high demand for illicit drugs but the AFP and its international network of more than 200 personnel in 33 countries stand ready to counter this harmful trade,” he added.

It’s estimated every kilogram of methamphetamine costs the Australian economy more than $226,000 through crime, loss of productivity, emergency response and increased health care expenses, the AFP reports.

Mexican meth drug bust