A joint raid conducted by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Australian Border Force (ABF) has resulted in four people getting arrested as well as the seizure of about 140kg of methamphetamine (worth $80m) hidden generators in Sydney, Australia. The four were charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug.

The investigation, called Operation Fuchsia, started in March when ABF officers inspected a sea cargo consignment upon arrival in Sydney from Mexico. The package comprised two containers, which held 11 diesel generators weighing almost 15 tonnes in total. An examination of the consignment revealed anomalies within the generators, and the matter was referred to the AFP.

The four charged people include a 60-year-old Nigerian-American, a 45-year-old Nigerian-Mexican, 48-year-old Nigerian-Australian, a 35-year-old Nigerian-Australian. They faced Parramatta Local Court on Saturday, June 4, 2016.

Each one of the men were charged with one count of importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, opposing to Section 307.1 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth), and one count of attempting to possess, contrary to Section 307.5 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth) which gives life imprisonment as its highest penalty.

During the investigation, search warrants were carried out in Melbourne on Saturday morning and the 35-year-old dual Nigerian/Australian citizen was caught, arrested, and charged later.

AFP Commander Chris Sheehan, State Manager NSW, said these arrests stressed the commitment of law enforcement agencies and border protection agencies in fightting international drug smuggling.

According to Commander Sheehan, “The size of this seizure reveals that organized crime groups are still aiming at Australian customers and the high price the users are willing to pay for these drugs,”

He further said: “Our work is focused on detecting, disrupting and dismantling organised criminal networks, and bringing to account these groups that seek to bring harm our community. The success of this operation is a testament to the tenacity of the investigators who have worked on this operation for the past three months.”

Speaking on the issue, the ABF NSW Regional Commander, Tim Fitzgerald, stated that the successful operation highlighted the dedicated work of ABF officers at the border, who initially inspected and uncovered the consignment in the two shipping containers.

“Once again, we see how a successful border intercept by ABF can initiate a broader criminal investigation by law enforcement. By working together, we are able to effectively crack down on those who attempt to criminally import what was, in this case, a significant amount of harmful narcotics.”

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Posted by Razyblaze Gist at 8:52am