‘Tsunami of ice’ intercepted
A VIOLENT Mexican cartel is one of several targeting Australia’s drug market, say local and international police who busted a record $1 billion haul of ice headed here.
The seizure of 1.7 tonnes of the drug in California on January 9 was also the biggest domestic seizure of methyl- amphetamine in the US. The quantity could have produced more than 17 million deals, with an estimated street value of about $1.29 billion, police said.
“We have averted a tsunami of ice to Australia,” Australian Federal Police Assistant Commissioner Bruce Hill said in Melbourne yesterday.
Another 25kg of cocaine, worth about $9.5 million, and 5kg of heroin valued at $2.6 million was also uncovered in the shipment of 850 car audio parts. It has led to six arrests in Victoria and NSW.
Police believe the Mexican cartel has links to Australianbased outlaw bikie gangs but would not give further detail.
“This is a serious warning. We now believe Mexican cartels are actively targeting Australia, they have been sending smaller amounts of ice over the years but this is now flagging the intent that Australia is now being targeted,” Mr Hill said.
“This cartel is among one of the most powerful and violent drug trafficking syndicates in the world.”
He said police dismantled a “very sophisticated operation” on Thursday, “averting a disaster for this country”.
Police have arrested six people, allegedly involved with the US-based organised syndicate behind the shipment.
Officers raided properties across six Melbourne suburbs on Thursday and yesterday with four people arrested.
Three faced Melbourne Magistrates’ Court yesterday on charges including attempted drug importation and possession.
They were remanded to face court again on June 17. Charges are pending against a fourth person.
Three raids in Sydney on Thursday led to the arrest of two men, aged 25 and 31, and seizure of 2kg of cocaine.
They will be extradited to Melbourne to face court.
Search warrants have also been executed in Canada, where a significant amount of property has been seized.