MILDURA: Drugs seized
Two men have been charged after approximately 120kgs of pseudoephedrine was located concealed underneath the floorboards of a shipping container.
The pseudoephedrine was detected by Australian Border Force officials on January 23 who in turn notified Victoria Police.
The pseudoephedrine was seized and replaced with an inert substance.
Pseudoephedrine is a main ingredient in the manufacture of methylamphetamine.
On Saturday, February 28 police were notified that the consignment had been collected.
Officers from Mildura Divisional Response Unit subsequently attended an address in Euston, New South Wales.
Two men present at the address fled on foot. With the assistance of New South Wales Police Force, the two men were taken into custody in Euston, New South Wales.
Detectives from the Clandestine Laboratory Squad travelled to Mildura on Sunday, March 1, to extradite the two men.
Two men from Robinvale, a 38-year-old and a 50-year-old, were charged with the Commonwealth offence of attempt to import border-controlled drug and attempt to traffick large commercial quantity drug of dependence.
The duo was extradited to Victoria and remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on June 15.
On Tuesday, March 2, Clandestine Laboratory Squad, with assistance from Mildura Crime Investigation Unit, Mildura Divisional Response Unit and New South Wales Police Force executed a further three search warrants at residential addresses in Robinvale, Victoria and Euston, New South Wales.
An imitation firearm (pump action shot gun) was seized.
Detective Senior Sergeant Liam Tinkler, Mildura CIU, said: “This 120kg of pseudoephedrine would likely have been made into illicit drugs to sell on our streets, meaning we have stopped ill-gotten gains from reaching the pockets of those involved in this insidious venture.
“Organised criminals distribute these harmful substances anywhere they see fit to make a profit, knowing full well the harm these drugs cause to our community.
“We’ve made no secret of the fact that Victoria Police is determined to make this state a hostile place for organised crime and in particular, those who are engaged in the manufacture and importation of drugs.”