Officers Slam Window on Attempted 100Kg Meth Import in Australia

The amount of methamphetamine seized was worth an estimated $90 million and could have been distributed in about one million street deals. 

Seized bottles of sriracha hot chilli sauce, which were later found to conceal crystal meth, or ice, are seen in Sydney, Australia Oct. 15, 2019. Picture taken Oct. 15, 2019. New South Wales Police Force/Handout via Reuters

Window frames concealing 100 kilograms of methamphetamine have been seized by federal police after X-rays detected the illicit import.

Australian Border Force officials detected the drugs while searching a shipping container that had arrived in Sydney from Mexico.

An X-ray of the package revealed abnormalities and a closer examination found a white powder concealed inside the frames that tested positive for methamphetamine.

No charges have been laid but an investigation continues.

The amount of methamphetamine seized was worth an estimated $90 million (US$59.38 million) and could have been distributed in about one million street deals.

AFP Detective Superintendent Kristie Cressy said the organisation worked closely with the ABF to ensure Australia was a hostile environment for drug traffickers.

“Criminals may work hard to plan and execute elaborate schemes, but the AFP and its partner agencies work harder to detect and seize these concealments,” she said.

“Methamphetamine, even in small amounts, causes immense harm to users, their loved ones, and the community around them, through the impact on the healthcare system and associated crime.”