AFP say the three men, aged 22, 32 and 38, were arrested after the AFP executed search warrants on a residential property in the Melbourne suburb of Keilor Park and on an apartment in a high-rise tower in Melbourne’s Southbank on 11 February.
Highlights:
- Australian Federal Police have arrested three Indian nationals in Melbourne for allegedly attempting to import drugs into Australia.
- AFP says the three men, aged 22, 32 and 38, were arrested last week.
- According to the officials, the total weight of drugs seized from the multiple shipping consignments is estimated to be more than 100 kilograms.
AFP investigators seized multiple alleged “deconstructed drug packages, various packets of methamphetamine weighing over one kilogram in total, approximately $50,000 in cash and numerous mobile phones.”
The three men were remanded in custody and faced Melbourne Magistrates Court last Friday. According to the AFP, these arrests have been made after a month-long investigation.
Police said in a statement, “The AFP-led investigation in partnership with the Australian Border Force (ABF) and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) – codenamed Operation Goaltender – began on 4 January 2021 when ABF officers detected 40 kilograms of methamphetamine concealed in crane counterweights shipped from Mexico.
“Over the course of the next month, the origins and links between multiple consignments seized by the ABF were reviewed and found to contain border controlled substances, including eight kilograms of isopropylbenzylamine (a methamphetamine analogue) and quantities of heroin, cocaine and other drugs from various source countries.”
According to officials, the total weight of drugs seized from the multiple shipping consignments is estimated to be more than 100 kilograms.
“The first importation attempt began early in the new year of 2021 – proving those who seem to profit from the suffering and addiction of vulnerable Australians don’t take a holiday. Rest assured – neither will the AFP,” AFP Commander Investigations Southern Command Todd Hunter said in a statement.
It's not the first time Indian nationals have been arrested over drug importation to Australia.
Earlier this month New Delhi Customs officials found nearly 4 kg of drugs worth over $300,000 hidden within the intricate work of colourful, traditional women’s clothing. The consignment of these party dresses was said to be destined for Australia.
In Australian Border Force (ABF), officers arrested a 20-year-old for allegedly importing an illegal substance found inside a consignment containing wedding invitations that arrived from India in February last year.
In July 2019, Australian Border Force officers had arrested three Sydney men for allegedly smuggling 55 kilograms of cocaine from India, hidden in a heavy plasma cutting machine brought to Australia in a shipping container.
