Customs seize 30kg drugs at mail centres

Drug precursors and performance-enhancing drugs concealed in 10 packages have been intercepted at NSW Air Cargo and the Sydney mail centre.

drugs_131004_AAP.jpg

(File: AAP)

They came disguised as washing powder, body lotion, resin and hidden in a coffee machine.

But the 30 kilograms of precursor and performance-enhancing drugs en route to NSW addresses didn't fool customs officers.

In the past week, they've uncovered 24.6kg of ephedrine, 6kg of ContacNT and 2kg of testosterone at the NSW Air Cargo and Sydney Mail Centre.

The Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS) says the 10 consignments from China, Hong Kong and Vietnam were destined for various addresses across the state.

The ephedrine was concealed in items such as scraper handles, metal lunch boxes, body lotion, tile cutters, resin, a table top and a coffee machine.

Authorities discovered the testosterone hidden in washing powder, while the ContacNT was concealed in extension cords.

ContacNT is a cold and flu medication that contains high levels of pseudoephedrine, a precursor chemical used to manufacture methamphetamine, also known as ice.

Importing prohibited substances attracts a fine of up to $170,000 or five years in jail.

"No matter how these prohibited substances are concealed, our highly trained officers have the intelligence, technology and expertise to detect these dangerous drugs," ACBPS acting national manager cargo operations Gerry Rodrigues said in a statement.

Investigations are ongoing.


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Source: AAP

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Customs seize 30kg drugs at mail centres | SBS News