Meth in mosaic tiles: trio charged for $333 million drug plot

Three men have been arrested for their alleged roles in the importation of about 360kg of methamphetamine in mosaic tiles. Footage by AFP

Transcript

00:01We are here to talk about an investigation that has seen three men in Sydney and Melbourne

00:06arrested for their alleged roles in an organised crime syndicate

00:09which has imported 360 kilograms of methamphetamine into Australia.

00:15It is estimated this amount of drugs has a potential street value of $333 million.

00:22In early April, the Australian Border Force intercepted about two tonnes of mosaic tiles impregnated with methamphetamine.

00:30The tiles containing the methamphetamine were seized and the AFP commenced an investigation.

00:36Investigators undertook a controlled delivery and their consignment was delivered to a storage facility in Chalora.

00:43Two men aged 56 and 39 accepted the delivery of the consignment and arranged for its safe storage.

00:51The AFP will allege the men believe the mosaic tiles contained illicit drugs

00:56and they will be paid a large sum of money for their role.

01:01A few days later, the mosaic tiles were transported to a storage unit in Clayton South in Victoria.

01:08The AFP soon identified a 39-year-old Donnybrook man as the alleged intended recipient of the methamphetamine importation

01:17and we began gathering evidence on his alleged activities.

01:21This man was arrested in May and charged with three offences, including attempting to possess a commercial quantity of imported drugs.

01:29This is an offence which carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

01:33He remains before the courts and has been remanded in custody in Victoria.

01:38AFP investigators arrested the two Sydney men at their Liverpool and Holroyd homes this morning.

01:44It is anticipated that they will also be charged with the same offence.

01:49A brief warning for criminal syndicates.

01:51No matter how elaborate your attempts are to import illicit drugs into the community,

01:56the AFP and our partners have the skills, the experience and the technology to stop it.

02:08and the AFP is a great work.

02:13To be honest, they will be grieved for the lockdown.

02:17You know, no matter who does, they will be charged with the same amount of times in the industry.

02:22They will be charged with the same amount of times in the industry.

02:25They will be charged with the same amount of days of the pandemic.

02:27After that, they may not be charged with the same amount of times.

02:30The American-American based-irer and the same amount of times.