Australian law-enforcement agencies discovered A$1.26 billion ($900 million) worth of methylamphetamine, also known as crystal meth or Ice, hidden in imported boxes of silicon products and art supplies in the country’s largest haul of the illicit drug in its liquid form, officials said on Monday.
Four Hong Kong passport holders were arrested in Sydney last month over the import from China of 720 liters (190 gallons) of the drug, police said in a statement, AP reported.
The liquid could have made about 500 kg of high-grade crystal meth, Australian Federal Police Commander Chris Sheehan said. Officials also seized 2 kg of the crystalized form of the drug.
Justice Minister Michael Keenan said the operation used information gathered through new cooperation between Australian Federal Police and China’s National Narcotics Control Commission. The Australian and Chinese agencies established a joint taskforce in November to investigate criminal syndicates trafficking methamphetamine.
“This largest seizure of liquid methylamphetamine to date is the result of organized criminals targeting the lucrative Australian ice market from offshore,” Keenan told reporters.
The four will appear in a Sydney court next month charged with importing and manufacturing commercial quantities of illegal drugs. Each suspect faces a potential life sentence if convicted.
Keenan said the seizure was one of the largest hauls of illicit drugs in Australian history.
