Appeal to identify those behind 157kg methylamphetamine importation

Editor's note: Images of the seizure are available via Hightail

A large-scale importation of 157kg of methylamphetamine, which arrived in Sydney by air cargo, has been stopped from reaching Australian communities.

The consignment of border controlled drugs, which departed from Germany, was identified by Australian Border Force (ABF) officers on 29 December, 2023 and referred to the AFP for investigation.

AFP officers seized the drugs and a forensic deconstruction of the consignment revealed 211 packages inside 10 cardboard boxes hidden alongside packing equipment. The packages contained a total of 156.8kg of methamphetamine.

Investigations are underway to identify those behind the importation, with calls for public assistance to assist the investigation.

AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Colin Hunt said the methylamphetamine had the potential to inflict immeasurable harm on members of the community.

"Transnational drug syndicates which attempt to flood Australia with border controlled drugs are motivated solely by greed and personal gain," he said.

"There is little or no regard to the pain and suffering these harmful drugs inflict on people, their families, and their communities.

"Across Australia, there were 10,100 methamphetamine-related hospitalisations in 2021-2022 - which equates to more than 27 every day on average*.

"This seizure of such a significant quantity of border controlled drugs showcases the value of the AFP, alongside our law enforcement partners, in protecting Australian borders.

"If you know anything about this consignment, please contact Crime Stoppers on 1300 333 000 or via crimestoppers.com.au."

ABF Acting Commander Asha Patwardhan said ABF officers played a vital frontline role in protecting the Australian community from the supply of harmful drugs like methylamphetamine.

"Whether these attempted importations occur by air or sea, the intelligence and technology at our disposal is increasingly sophisticated and evolving to detect and disrupt attempts to bring illicit drug into the country," Acting Commander Patwardhan said.

*Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare analysis of the National Hospital Morbidity Database (NHMD).

Editor's note: Images of the seizure are available via Hightail

A large-scale importation of 157kg of methylamphetamine, which arrived in Sydney by air cargo, has been stopped from reaching Australian communities.

The consignment of border controlled drugs, which departed from Germany, was identified by Australian Border Force (ABF) officers on 29 December, 2023 and referred to the AFP for investigation.

AFP officers seized the drugs and a forensic deconstruction of the consignment revealed 211 packages inside 10 cardboard boxes hidden alongside packing equipment. The packages contained a total of 156.8kg of methamphetamine.

Investigations are underway to identify those behind the importation, with calls for public assistance to assist the investigation.

AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Colin Hunt said the methylamphetamine had the potential to inflict immeasurable harm on members of the community.

"Transnational drug syndicates which attempt to flood Australia with border controlled drugs are motivated solely by greed and personal gain," he said.

"There is little or no regard to the pain and suffering these harmful drugs inflict on people, their families, and their communities.

"Across Australia, there were 10,100 methamphetamine-related hospitalisations in 2021-2022 - which equates to more than 27 every day on average*.

"This seizure of such a significant quantity of border controlled drugs showcases the value of the AFP, alongside our law enforcement partners, in protecting Australian borders.

"If you know anything about this consignment, please contact Crime Stoppers on 1300 333 000 or via crimestoppers.com.au."

ABF Acting Commander Asha Patwardhan said ABF officers played a vital frontline role in protecting the Australian community from the supply of harmful drugs like methylamphetamine.

"Whether these attempted importations occur by air or sea, the intelligence and technology at our disposal is increasingly sophisticated and evolving to detect and disrupt attempts to bring illicit drug into the country," Acting Commander Patwardhan said.

*Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare analysis of the National Hospital Morbidity Database (NHMD).

Note to media:

Media are encouraged to include help-seeking information in stories about illicit drugs to minimise any negative impact on people in the community. The following services provide people with access to support and information.

• For free and confidential advice about alcohol and other drug treatment services call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015.
• Access free 24/7 drug and alcohol counselling online at counsellingonline.org.au.
• For information about drug and alcohol addiction treatment or support, go to turningpoint.org.au.

Media enquiries:
AFP Media: (02) 5126 9297

Connect with us:
Follow our Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube pages to learn more about what the AFP does to keep Australia safe.

Media are encouraged to include help-seeking information in stories about illicit drugs to minimise any negative impact on people in the community. The following services provide people with access to support and information.

• For free and confidential advice about alcohol and other drug treatment services call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015.
• Access free 24/7 drug and alcohol counselling online at counsellingonline.org.au.
• For information about drug and alcohol addiction treatment or support, go to turningpoint.org.au.

Media enquiries:
AFP Media: (02) 5126 9297

Connect with us:
Follow our Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube pages to learn more about what the AFP does to keep Australia safe.

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