AN AIR cargo consignment containing 45 kilograms of meth was intercepted on its way to Australia.
The Australian Federal Police said officers from the Hong Kong Customs and Excise seized the drugs on 16 April after the AFP shared intelligence via its International Liaison Officer Network.
AFP Hong Kong received information from AFP Mexico regarding a suspicious shipment that was in transit to a Melbourne address.
AFP officers in Hong Kong notified Hong Kong Customs and Excise who examined the air cargo and found the drugs hidden in a thermoforming machine.
“This seizure demonstrates the importance of the AFP’s international partnerships in keeping Australians safe at home,” AFP Detective Superintendent Patrick Gordon said.
The AFP has officers stationed in 33 countries as part of its International Command, working alongside law enforcement agencies on the ground and sharing intelligence.
It said it works closely with Mexican authorities and other Central American law enforcement agencies to identify drug manufacturing and transportation sources in the region.
“Hong Kong is a popular transit point for shipments coming from Central America as we have seen in the past, including a record 1.8 tonne liquid meth seizure also destined for Australia,” Det. Supt. Gordon said.
“Unfortunately, drug cartels continue to target Australia in response to the high demand for illicit drugs.”
Inquiries into criminal syndicate responsible for this consignment are ongoing.
