Chemicals to make $297 million of ICE seized

This is a joint Australian Federal Police and Customs Media Release

An operation involving Customs, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the NSW Crime Commission (NSWCC) has prevented the supply of enough illegal chemicals to make methylamphetamine (ICE) with an estimated street value of $297 million and led to the arrest of three people.

The seizure of 850 kilograms of pseudoephedrine, a border controlled precursor chemical used in the production of methylamphetamine, is one of Australia’s biggest.

A 37-year-old Cecil Hills man, a 24-year-old Cartwright man and a
27-year-old Liverpool man appeared before Parramatta Local Court yesterday charged with aiding and abetting the importation of a border controlled precursor and a state supply charge. The 37-year-old Cecil Hills man was also charged with dealing in proceeds of crime.

All were remanded in custody to appear in Sydney Central Local Court on Wednesday 16 July.

The pseudoephedrine was detected by Customs in three consignments of ornaments and statues that arrived at Port Botany in Sydney in sea cargo from Thailand on 4 July.

Intelligence provided by the NSW Crime Commission and further investigations by Customs investigators and analysts led to three sea cargo consignments being inspected at the Customs Container Examination Facility (CEF) at Port Botany.

X-rays revealed anomalies inside the containers and Customs officers at the CEF allegedly discovered white tablets, later confirmed to be pseudoephedrine, hidden inside a statue of an elephant, a marble box and brass stools.

AFP agents executed search warrants at Chipping Norton, Cecil Hills, Kingsford and Campsie in the past 48 hours.

They seized approximately $230,000 in cash, an additional 25 kilograms of pseudoephedrine pills, a kilogram of methylamphetamine, a bank note counter, a number of weapons including a taser and a machete.

Customs National Manager Cargo Operations North Catherine Asbridge said the seizure was an excellent example of diverse areas within Customs working together to prevent harmful goods from entering Australia and of effective cooperation between law enforcement agencies more generally.

“This seizure and subsequent investigations by Customs and partner agencies has disrupted the supply of chemicals that had the potential to flood Australia’s streets with illicit, harmful drugs,” Ms Asbridge said.

“By preventing precursor chemicals from entering the country, commonwealth and state agencies are playing a critical role in combating the illegal drug trade.”

AFP National Manager Border and International Tim Morris said this was a significant operation for the AFP, involving a massive investment of resources.

“This operation has involved extensive planning and preparation for the AFP, with 110 AFP members deployed at 10 locations across Sydney and the operation of a 24-hour major incident room over the past three days,” Assistant Commissioner Morris said.

“This seizure has saved the community an estimated $215 million in associated health and social costs, but it is also important to note that the makeshift laboratories set up to process illegal narcotics from these kinds of chemicals also pose a danger to the community and a risk to the environment.”

The maximum penalty for the importation offences is 25 years imprisonment and/or a $550,000 fine.