Border Bust Sees $1 Billion Worth of Ice Seized in NSW Crackdown
Huge Meth Hauls Hidden in Marble Stone Uncovered
Strike Force Chellington, launched last year by the State Crime Command’s Drug and Firearms Squad, has smashed a massive meth smuggling ring into NSW. Acting on intelligence, Australian Border Force (ABF) officers inspected sea cargo containers at Port Botany. In July, they found 814kg of methamphetamine cleverly concealed inside marble stone blocks.
Not done there, ABF examined more containers arriving in August. This time, they uncovered a whopping 1,060kg of meth hidden the same way. Altogether, more than 2,000kg of ‘ice’ was seized, with a street value pushing past $1 billion.
Seven Men Face Serious Charges in Drug Syndicate Probe
Strike Force investigators have charged seven men aged between 21 and 34, who are presently before the courts. The probe continues with allied units including the Raptor Squad, South West Metropolitan Operational Support Group, and the Public Order and Riot Squad involved in recent raids.
Major Raids Net Cash, Drugs, and Illegal Tobacco
At dawn on January 11, police served four search warrants across Auburn, Lidcombe, and Berala. They seized around 1.5kg of meth, $100,000 in cash, 100kg of illegal tobacco, plus electronic devices and documents. All evidence is undergoing forensic analysis.
Four men aged 29, 35, 40, and 42 were arrested. The 29-year-old faces charges for attempting to possess a commercial quantity of an imported border-controlled drug and involvement in a criminal group. The 40-year-old was charged with multiple drug offences including supplying large quantities and gang participation. The 42-year-old stands accused of directing a criminal group and other drug offences. All three were denied bail and appeared at Burwood Local Court earlier today.
The 35-year-old man was charged with dealing with criminal proceeds but received conditional bail. He is due back in court on January 12.
This sweeping crackdown sends a clear message: NSW authorities are relentless in their fight against dangerous drug imports.
