The
investigation, codenamed Operation Fuchsia, began in March when ABF officers
examined a sea cargo consignment upon arrival in Sydney from Mexico. The
consignment comprised two containers, which held 11 diesel generators and
weighed around 15 tonnes in total.
An examination of the consignment revealed
anomalies within the generators, and the matter was referred to the AFP.
The joint
operation conducted by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Australian
Border Force (ABF) has resulted in the arrest of four people and the seizure of
approximately 140kg of methamphetamine (worth $80m) hidden generators in
Sydney, Australia. The four were charged with importing a commercial quantity
of a border-controlled drug.
The four
charged people include a sixty-year-old Nigerian-American, a forty-five-years-old
Nigerian-Mexican, forty-eight-years-old Nigerian-Australian, a thirty-five-years-old
Nigerian-Australian. They faced Parramatta Local Court on Saturday, June 4,
2016.
Each of the
men were charged with one count of importing a commercial quantity of a border
controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to Section 307.1 of the
Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth), and one count of attempting to possess, contrary
to Section 307.5 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth). The maximum penalty for
these offences is life imprisonment.
As part of
the investigation, search warrants were conducted in Melbourne on Saturday
morning and the 35-year-old dual Nigerian/Australian citizen was arrested, and
charged later.
AFP Commander
Chris Sheehan, State Manager NSW, said these arrests highlighted the commitment
of law enforcement agencies and border protection agencies in combating
international drug smuggling.
"The
size of this seizure is an indication that organised crime groups are still
seeking to target Australian users and the high price those users are willing
to pay for these drugs," Commander Sheehan said.
"Our
work is focused on detecting, disrupting and dismantling organised criminal
networks, and bringing to account these groups that seek to bring harm our
community. The success of this operation is a testament to the tenacity of the
investigators who have worked on this operation for the past three
months."
na wa o
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