Massive drug bust targeting Chinese-Australian syndicate sees police seize 1.3 TONNES of powder set to be turned into $700MILLION of ice
- Two Melbourne men in their 50s, and two Chinese nationals have been arrested
- Powder had potential to make 922 kgs of meth with a street value of $691.5M
- In mid-February, Australian Border Force intercepted a container from China
- The powder came in 200 bags and 65 boxes, was labelled ceramic tiles and glue
- The tip-off came from Taskforce Blaze, set up between Australia and China
Four men have been arrested and 1.3 tonnes of ephedrine has been seized after a joint investigation into a multi million dollar drug syndicate.
The drug bust came after Australia and Chinese authorities worked together, with Australian Federal Police arresting two Melbourne men, aged 53 and 55, and two 26-year-old Chinese men in Melbourne on Tuesday.
The investigation started when the AFP received a tip off from Chinese authorities about a suspected drug syndicate importing into Melbourne.
Four men have been arrested and 1.3 tonnes of ephedrine has been seized after a joint investigation into a multi million dollar drug syndicate
The substance had the potential to make 922 kilograms of methamphetamine, or ice, with an estimated street value of $691.5 million (pictured)
In mid-February, Australian Border Force officers intercepted a container coming in from China labelled as ‘ceramic tiles and glue’.
Officers inspected the suspicious shipment and found 260 bags of powder hidden inside 65 boxes.
Test results came back positive for ephedrine, with a total weight of 1,300 kilograms.
The substance had the potential to make 922 kilograms of methamphetamine, or ice, with an estimated street value of $691.5 million.
The drugs were seized by the AFP, but the boxes were still delivered to a house in Box Hill North, where the two Chinese men were arrested.
Meanwhile, the 55-year-old Australian man was arrested as he tried to board a flight to China at Melbourne International Airport on Tuesday.
Police then swooped on the 53-year-old Australian man, who was arrested at a shopping centre near to where his home.
Two Australian and two Chinese men face up to 25 years behind bars for importing commercial quantities of border controlled precursors
All four men are scheduled to appear before Melbourne Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
The two Melbourne men have been charged with importing commercial quantities of border controlled precursors and face up to 25 years behind bars.
The two Chinese men have been charged with attempt to import commercial quantities of border controlled precursors, and also face the maximum penalty of 25 years in prison.
AFP Assistant Commissioner Organised Crime Bruce Hill said the arrests mark another milestone in the cooperation between Australian and Chinese law enforcement.
In mid-February, Australian Border Force officers intercepted a container coming in from China labelled as ‘ceramic tiles and glue’