More than a TONNE of MDMA worth over $200million is found hidden in hundreds of plastic tubs sent from South Korea is seized in one of Australia's biggest-ever drug busts
- The tonne of MDMA was seized by Australian Border Force officers on January 11
- Inside a shipping container was 176 tubs containing total of 1,053kg of MDMA
- Five people were arrested following the drugs bust
A one-tonne haul of MDMA has been seized in what has been described as one of the largest busts in Australian history.
The MDMA was seized by Australian Border Force officers on January 11 after they detected an irregularity within a shipping container from South Korea.
Inside the container police found 648 plastic tubs labelled as tile adhesive.
But of the 648 tubs, 176 of them contained bags of powder which tested positive for MDMA. Approximately six kilograms of MDMA was found in each tub.
The total amount of MDMA seized came to 1,053kg, with a street value believed to be more than $200million.
The shipping container was found to be transporting 648 plastic tubs (pictured) labelled as tile adhesive
Australian Border Force officers discovered an irregularity with the shipment from South Korea
A joint investigation with NSW Police saw three men arrested in Sydney on Tuesday, and another two arrested last Friday.
The three men arrested on Tuesday will appear in Sydney Central Local Court on Wednesday faced with criminal charges.
Following some enquiries, officers found that the container was due to be delivered to a storage facility in Camperdown, in Sydney's inner west.
The shipping container was eventually delivered to the storage facility on January 29, where a Canadian national, 27, signed on its delivery and unpacked it.
The man then met with another 27-year-old Canadian national and it will be alleged they travelled between the CBD and Camperdown to extract the MDMA out as they prepared to distribute it to Australians.
It will also be alleged the pair met with a Hong Kong man who then distributed the illegal substance on the streets.
Inside the shipment was a tonne of MDMA (pictured) which was delivered to a storage facility in Camperdown
The shipping container came from South Korea and saw five men arrested following a joint investigation
Following a search warrant, AFP investigators seized two firearms
Officers then executed a search warrant and seized substances suspected to be MDMA, cocaine, three kilograms of methamphetmaine, $250,000 in case, two loaded firearms, false identification material and ammunition.
Another search warrant saw the seizing of material alleged to be substituted MDMA removed from the original shipment, cocaine, electronic devices, and ammunition.
A 22-year-old man and a 26-year-old man were then charged with drug offences and also charged with posession of firearms and ammunition following the search warrant.
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They appeared in Parramatta Local Court on Saturday, where they were remanded in custody.
The two Canadian nationals were each charged with one count of importing a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs, namely MDMA and one count of attempting to possess a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs.
They both face the maximum penalty for the offence which is life imprisonment.
The 29-year-old Hong Kong man was charged with two counts of attempt trafficking in a commercial quantity of a controlled drug, namely MDMA and one count of attempting to possess a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs.
He also faces life imprisonment.
Of the 648 tubs, 176 of them contained bags of powder which tested positive for MDMA
A man is arrested in relation to the large shipment of MDMA to Australia
AFP acting Assistant Commissioner Eastern Command Justine Gough said the AFP is always working to protect Australia's border and the community.
'This seizure is one of the largest in Australian history and the MDMA powder, if pressed into tablets, could have produced more than three million tablets,' he said.
'It demonstrates the lengths that organised crime syndicates will go to in order to supply the Australia market, and seek to protect their criminal profits with high-powered illegal weapons.
'The AFP is working closely with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Korean authorities and other offshore partners to identify the source of the MDMA and those responsible for directing this activity and shipping this destructive drug into Australia.'
The plastic tubs were found to contain MDMA and were destined for Australian streets
Another man was arrested in relation to the shipment container of MDMA
Australian Border Force Acting Commander Investigations Garry Low commended the efforts of all involved and that officers involved are 'smarter than the criminals'.
'ABF officers have sophisticated technology and unique skills at their disposal, which gives them the ability to identify illegal substances no matter how they are concealed,' he said.
'This detection is the second biggest MDMA seizure in Sydney. Every day, ABF officers go to work determined to protect Australia from these harmful substances and cases like these show their hard work and dedication pays off.'
