Huge bust as gangs plot ice ‘tsunami’
POLICE who stopped the biggest ever shipment of ice from being smuggled into Australia are probing the theory multiple bikie gangs were set to distribute the drugs.
While investigators have subjected the Bandidos Motorcycle Club to close scrutiny over the record $1.29 billion methamphetamine bust, sources say the sheer volume of drugs means it is highly likely multiple gangs would be involved.
Australian Federal Police Assistant Commissioner Bruce Hill has warned the country is under siege by Mexican drug cartels, which are attempting to flood the country with a “tsunami” of deadly illicit drugs.
Authorities yesterday revealed a record $1.29 billion of ice, $9.5 million of cocaine and $2.6 million of heroin was found concealed in audio equipment in California on January 9 — and was bound for Melbourne.
The ice amounted to more than 17 million drug hits.
Mr Hill said outlaw motorcycle gangs were “100 per cent” involved in the Mexican crime ring, which is targeting Australia due to the high price of drugs.
“The cartel is among one of the most powerful and violent drug trafficking syndicates in the world,” he said.
“They were previously targeting us on a small scale but the trend is going up quite quickly. One shipment of 1.7 tonnes (of ice) is extremely alarming. We have averted a disaster in this country.”
Four people from Victoria, two US nationals and two people from New South Wales have been charged. If convicted, those from Victoria could spend the rest of their lives behind bars.
The “sophisticated” drug gang began to come unstuck early last year when a country cop pulled over a driver with 25kg of ice in his car during a routine intercept in northwest Victoria.
Last month, News Corp revealed the AFP was working with authorities in the US and Mexico to combat the powerful Sinaloa and Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) cartels. Yesterday, police confirmed the Mexicans were in partnership with bikies in Australia, who were planning to organise the distribution of the drugs here.
It is understood the Bandidos have come under close scrutiny from police but last night sources said such a large amount of drugs would be difficult for one gang alone to handle. The investigation is moving fast and more arrests are anticipated.