AUTHORITIES are appealing for public information after 60 kilograms of methamphetamine was found in a sea-freight consignment shipped from Canada.
Australian Border Force officers seized the drugs from a wooden cabinet that arrived in Sydney on 9 May 2023.
The consignment was addressed to a Chinese national and destined for an address in Western Sydney.
Authorities allege the meth was concealed in silver packages and hidden behind a false backing in the cabinet. They estimate the haul’s “street value” to be around $54 million.
A multi-agency operation codenamed Taskforce Phobetor is asking the public to help identify the cabinet to help get to the bottom of how the drugs made it into Australia.
Detective Superintendent Stuart Cadden, commander of Taskforce Phobetor, said investigators are following every lead to determine how the drugs were imported and identify those responsible.
“We are certain there are people in Australia who know something about this importation, either as the receiver or future distributer,” he said.
“By now, these people might be concerned that their drugs have not arrived.”
Detective Superintendent Cadden urged anyone able to identify the cabinet or with further knowledge to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppers.com.au.
“You can provide information anonymously,” he said.
Taskforce Phobetor is a joint operation between the Australian Federal Police, the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission and the New South Wales Police Force.
