$1.7 billion worth of methamphetamine was seized

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Royal Canadian Police (RCMP) seized $1.7 billion worth of methamphetamine, which is planned to be transported from Canada to Australia on 4 ships, in a 6-month operation.

Six people were arrested as part of the operation. The two suspects, who were said to have arranged the drug shipment, were said to face life in prison.

According to the AFP statement, the operations, organized in cooperation with Canadian and Australian police units, began in January 2023.

Canadian police seized 2,900 liters of liquid methamphetamine, in 180 bottles of canola oil, which the drug gang planned to ship to Australia.

The market value of the seized drugs was reported to be $720 million. In May 2023, Canadian police seized another 325 liters of liquid methamphetamine with a market value of $81 million.

It was claimed that the seized drugs are planned to be sent to Australia again. Finally, in June 2023, Canadian police seized another 2,900 liters of liquid methamphetamine, again packaged in canola oil bottles. Its market value was announced at $717 million.

It was reported that the methamphetamine, weighing a total of 6 tons, seized during the operations that lasted 6 months, was scheduled to be transported to the country by 4 different ships of the gang.

SUSPECTS Trapped

AFP announced that 6 people were arrested in Melbourne as part of the operation carried out in conjunction with Canadian police units. The two suspects, aged 38 and 32, who are said to have organized the drug shipment, were announced to face life in prison.

Other suspects were charged with planning to purchase the drug. AFP announced that a 25-year-old US citizen and four other suspects aged 28, 19 and 51 were detained.

It is stated that the operation will continue for 6 months.

On the other hand, it was reported that investigations into other gang members in Australia, Canada and New Zealand continue.

“OUR MESSAGE TO THE DRUG BARONS IS CLEAR”

Victoria Deputy Police Chief Bob Hill said this operation sent a clear message to drug lords. “Our message to these international drug lords is very clear,” Hill said. We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement and intelligence partners to crack down on their operations. Stopping this criminal group from operating beyond our borders means these illicit drugs will never reach suburbs or rural Australia. The seizure of 6 tons of methamphetamine worth $1.7 billion is an extraordinary blow to organized crime. We will not stop. “Our job is to protect this community and we will ruthlessly attack anyone who wants to harm it.”