THE AUSTRALIAN Federal Police have appealed for public assistance after discovering a large quantity of MDMA onboard a cargo vessel that was docked at Fremantle in February this year.
Six-point-six million dollars worth of the drug MDMA, colloquially known as “ecstasy”, was discovered by Australian Border Force officials inside six Peugeot vans.
The quantity of drugs, weighing a total of 120 kilograms, was found with the assistance of drug detector dogs, having been concealed inside the sliding door panels of the vehicles.
The vans, part of a consignment of 105 onboard, were destined for New South Wales, having arrived in Western Australia from Europe on 18 February.
AFP acting commander Peter Hatch said they were working with international partners to attempt to identify the transnational organised crime syndicate responsible for the importation and attempted supply of the MDMA.
“This importation plot would have required a lot of planning and the involvement of a number of people,” A/Commander Hatch said.
The AFP chose not to release a statement about the discovery until today, where they urged anyone with relevant information about the planned importation to contact the police.
ABF Acting Commander James Payne praised the professionalism and dedication of ABF officers in protecting Australia’s border.
“We are working together with our law enforcement partners to ensure the border remains a hostile environment for criminal syndicates attempting to use our ports for their illicit schemes” he said.
Details such as the name of the vessel, the ports it visited before Fremantle, and how long it was in port at Fremantle, have not been made public.
Anyone with information related to the case can contact Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000.
