ICE SCOURGE IN AUSTRALIA

$1 billion worth of liquid meth seized in joint police operation

By Megan Drapalski

The Daily Telegraph
February 15, 2016

MORE than $1.2 billion worth of ice has been seized and four people have been arrested in what officials say is the largest liquid methamphetamine bust in Australian history.

The drugs were allegedly imported into the country hidden in gel bra ¬inserts and art supplies.

Federal Justice Minister Michael Keenan yesterday announced 720 litres of liquid methamphetamine was seized in a joint operation by Australian Federal Police, NSW Police, Australian Border Force, the Australian Crime Commission and the NSW Crime Commission.

“This has resulted in 3.6 million ¬individual hits of ice being taken off our streets with a street value of $1.26 ¬billion,” Mr Keenan said.

The bust was two months in the making after the Joint Organised Crime Group began Operation OVCHARKA in November to investigate illegal drugs bound for Australia from Asia.

On Boxing Day Border Force officers examined 86 boxes of silicon bra inserts imported from Hong Kong and allegedly discovered about 190 litres of liquid methamphetamine inside.

Sites in Hurstville, Rockdale, Miranda and Padstow were searched between December 23 and December 30, with a further 530 litres of the drug allegedly found hidden in art supplies along with 2kg of crystal meth.

On January 14, the JOCG delivered the bra inserts to a storage facility in Burwood where a 33-year-old Hong Kong man was arrested and charged with importing a border controlled drug.

A 37-year-old man and a 52-year-old woman from Hong Kong and a 59-year-old Chinese man were arrested about two weeks later after JOCG staff ¬allegedly found evidence of drug ¬manufacture at homes in Hurstville and Campsie. “This has been a very good day for Australia law enforcement,” Mr Keenan said. The four arrested will ¬appear in court next month and could face life in prison if convicted.