This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-35576136
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Australia police seize meth worth A$1bn hidden in bras inserts | |
(35 minutes later) | |
A Chinese man and three Hong Kong nationals face life in prison after more than A$1bn ($700m; £500m) worth of methamphetamine was seized in Sydney. | A Chinese man and three Hong Kong nationals face life in prison after more than A$1bn ($700m; £500m) worth of methamphetamine was seized in Sydney. |
Authorities said 720 litres (160 gallons) of liquid methamphetamine, much of it hidden inside gel bra inserts, was sent from Hong Kong. | Authorities said 720 litres (160 gallons) of liquid methamphetamine, much of it hidden inside gel bra inserts, was sent from Hong Kong. |
Justice Minister Michael Keenan said crime gangs had sought to profit from Australia's "lucrative ice market". | Justice Minister Michael Keenan said crime gangs had sought to profit from Australia's "lucrative ice market". |
He said it was among the largest drug busts in the country's history. | He said it was among the largest drug busts in the country's history. |
"Ice" is a street name for methamphetamine in Australia. | "Ice" is a street name for methamphetamine in Australia. |
Minister Keenan said: "3.6 million individual hits of ice were taken off our streets with a street value of $1.26 billion". | Minister Keenan said: "3.6 million individual hits of ice were taken off our streets with a street value of $1.26 billion". |
The liquid could have made 500kg (1,100 pounds) of high-grade crystal meth, Australian Federal Police (AFP) Commander Chris Sheehan said. | The liquid could have made 500kg (1,100 pounds) of high-grade crystal meth, Australian Federal Police (AFP) Commander Chris Sheehan said. |
Mr Sheehan said the AFP worked closely with Chinese authorities as part of Taskforce Blaze, which cracks down on international methamphetamine trafficking syndicates. | Mr Sheehan said the AFP worked closely with Chinese authorities as part of Taskforce Blaze, which cracks down on international methamphetamine trafficking syndicates. |