Man arrested on drugs charges in joint agency operation

A 36-year-old Mill Park man was charged in Victoria over the weekend and a complex drug importation and distribution syndicate has been dismantled.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) made the arrest with the assistance of the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service, Australian Crime Commission, NSW Police State Crime Command’s Asian Crime Squad and Victoria Police’s Clandestine Laboratory Squad.
The investigation began in June when AFP and Customs and Border Protection officers identified of a series of suspicious consignments of bath towels that were sent to a Victorian address from India.

On Friday, three search warrants were executed in Lalor and Mill Park where a quantity of towels, $45,000 in cash, mobiles phones, enamel thinner, toluene, caustic soda and hydrochloric acid was seized.

The bath towels were seized with initial testing revealing they were impregnated with ephedrine.

Ephedrine is a precursor chemical used in the production of amphetamine type substances.
It is believed the total weight of ephedrine seized at the Victorian address as a result of this investigation is approximately 25 kilograms.

It will be alleged in court that the man was taking possession of the ephedrine for further distribution.

AFP Manager Melbourne Office Scott Lee said it is estimated that this quantity of ephedrine could be used to produce between 15 kilograms and 20 kilograms of methamphetamine, otherwise known by its street name as Ice.

“Law enforcement agencies are committed to working together anytime, anywhere to target and disrupt organised crime syndicates that seek to import and distribute dangerous drugs,” Commander Lee said.

Customs and Border Protection National Director Cargo Raelene Vivian praised the work of the officers involved in this seizure.

“Seizures like this send a strong message that if you attempt to bring illicit drugs or precursor chemicals used to produce such drugs into Australia, you will be caught,” Ms Vivian said.
The man is expected to face Melbourne Magistrates Court today, charged with:

• import commercial quantity border controlled precursor, contrary to s.307.11(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995; and
• pre-trafficking a commercial quantity of controlled precursors, contrary to s.306.2 of the Criminal Code Act 1995.

Under Commonwealth legislation, the offences of importation and pre-trafficking of commercial quantities in ephedrine both carry a maximum penalty of 25 years imprisonment and/or a $550,000.00 fine.

Media enquiries:

AFP National Media (02) 6131 6333
Customs and Border Protection Media (02) 6275 6793
NSW Police: (02) 8263 6100
Victoria Police: (03) 9247 5205
ACC: (02) 6243 6843