POLICE have arrested three alleged members of a transnational crime syndicate linked to the importation of almost two tonnes of drugs into Australia in sea freight.

Australian Federal Police officers in Manila shared intelligence with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) relating to drug hauls intercepted in New South Wales.

The AFP produced information based around four drug consignments seized in NSW since August 2021.

The shipments were sent from the Philippines and contained a total 1.5 tonnes of methamphetamine and 450 kilograms of cocaine.

The consignments had reached Australia hidden in industrial machinery transported on ships.

Police said the methamphetamine seized in Australia could have been sold as around 15 million street deals, and the cocaine could have been broken down into around 450,000 deals.

A PDEA operation identified several suspects and two properties in Manila linked to the four shipments.

PDEA led search warrants at the two Manila properties in November. They found what they believed to be a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory inside one of the properties. 

Investigators seized about 22 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine, 770 grams of cocaine, precursor chemicals, drug-making equipment, mobile phones, several identification cards and financial documents from the properties.

They arrested and charged three men: a French national, a Canadian and a Filipino.

Investigators estimate the value of the methamphetamine to be the equivalent of almost $4 million.

Detective Superintendent Andrew Perkins, AFP senior officer in Manila, congratulated the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency on the outcome in Manila.

“Illicit drug use in Australia bankrolls dangerous and brutal criminals who undermine our national security and our economy and make our suburbs and roads less safe,” he said.

“The AFP has members in 33 countries around the world and we will continue to use our international networks to ensure drug syndicates do not profit at the expense of our communities.”

Det-Supt Perkins said investigations into the alleged network responsible for the drug trafficking were ongoing, as were inquiries into where the drugs had originated.