$12m Found In Shipping Container

[Oz]

Customs officers acting on a tip-off from a shipping company have foiled a sophisticated drug smuggling attempt, seizing more than 600kg of cannabis hidden in a container at Fremantle Port.

 

Federal Justice Minister Chris Ellison today described the haul as the biggest cannabis seizure at Australia's border since 1997.

 

In all, 640kg of the drug with an estimated street value of more than $12 million was found in the container after an employee noticed it had a false floor.

 

Customs officers then used an x-ray machine to reveal the drugs which were wrapped in about 300 separate plastic bags.

 

The container was in transit at Fremantle but Senator Ellison declined to reveal details of where it had come from or where it was destined, stating Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Customs were still investigating the matter.

 

"It is the largest seizure that we've had at the border since 1997," Senator Ellison said.

 

"It could indicate that there's an attempt by organised crime to try and bring cannabis into Australia."

 

Australian Customs Service regional director Paul O'Connor said the concealment had been sophisticated but officers still had the container apart within five hours of the tip-off.

 

He said AFP officers subsequently seized the drugs and were making inquiries both in Australia and overseas, although no arrests had been made.

 

"This has been a major disruption to a very sophisticated syndicate," Mr O'Connor said.

 

He said the container had been one of three in the same consignment but the other two were clean.

 

Senator Ellison said it was impossible to x-ray every container coming into Australia but risk assessments were done and all suspect containers were checked.

 

He praised the government's Frontline program which is a partnership between public authorities and the private sector to fight drug smuggling.

 

"We have always said that in the fight against drugs it's not just the government alone," Senator Ellison said.

 

"It is a total partnership between the community and government."

 

Mr O'Connor said about 80,000 containers were x-rayed in Australia each year – about five per cent of the total.

 

Author: Trevor Robb

Date: 4/06/04

Source: News Interactive

Copyright: 2004 News Limited

[WantDaChronic]

see what happens when u have all ur eggs in the 1 basket

[livebytheleaf]

imported , bad quality

[BlazinMarty]

not nessecarily

 

it coulda been good as weed

 

and imagine the price drop 640kg would do to the market!