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| Australia drug bust: Largest-ever crystal meth haul found in marble | Australia drug bust: Largest-ever crystal meth haul found in marble |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| The record haul was concealed in slabs of marble | The record haul was concealed in slabs of marble |
| Almost two tonnes of methamphetamine has been seized by Australian police - the biggest bust of the drug in the country's history. | Almost two tonnes of methamphetamine has been seized by Australian police - the biggest bust of the drug in the country's history. |
| Police found 1,800kg (283 stone) of what is known locally as ice inside shipping containers at a Sydney port. | |
| The record haul was concealed in marble and has a street value of more than A$1.6bn ($1.1bn; £942m). | The record haul was concealed in marble and has a street value of more than A$1.6bn ($1.1bn; £942m). |
| Three men have been charged over their alleged roles in importing the drugs from the Middle East. | Three men have been charged over their alleged roles in importing the drugs from the Middle East. |
| Authorities say the men are part of a broader syndicate with international links. | Authorities say the men are part of a broader syndicate with international links. |
| New South Wales Police said the group was "sophisticated" but officers could not believe their "audacity" in attempting to import such large drug quantities without detection. | New South Wales Police said the group was "sophisticated" but officers could not believe their "audacity" in attempting to import such large drug quantities without detection. |
| "These figures are staggering," said Det Chief Supt John Watson. | |
| "This seizure is the biggest in Australia's history." | "This seizure is the biggest in Australia's history." |
| Australia is in the grip of what authorities have called an "ice epidemic". They say the drug is fuelling violent crimes, addiction and mental health problems, particularly in regional communities. | Australia is in the grip of what authorities have called an "ice epidemic". They say the drug is fuelling violent crimes, addiction and mental health problems, particularly in regional communities. |
| The country has the highest reported methamphetamine use per capita in the world, with about 6% of Australians - 1.2 million people - having used the drug. | The country has the highest reported methamphetamine use per capita in the world, with about 6% of Australians - 1.2 million people - having used the drug. |
| In an unrelated investigation earlier this month, police seized over 150kg of methamphetamine from a vintage Bentley at the same Sydney port. | In an unrelated investigation earlier this month, police seized over 150kg of methamphetamine from a vintage Bentley at the same Sydney port. |
| In a separate much smaller bust, police found drugs hidden in a vintage car | In a separate much smaller bust, police found drugs hidden in a vintage car |
| Acting on a tip off, border officials X-rayed the luxury car - which had arrived from Canada - and found "anomalies". | Acting on a tip off, border officials X-rayed the luxury car - which had arrived from Canada - and found "anomalies". |
| Police then found drugs concealed behind its headlights, ultimately uncovering a total of 161kg of methamphetamine and 30kg of cocaine. Three men have been arrested. | Police then found drugs concealed behind its headlights, ultimately uncovering a total of 161kg of methamphetamine and 30kg of cocaine. Three men have been arrested. |
| You may also be interested in: | You may also be interested in: |
| Watch: Man uses forklift to trap would-be thief in car | Watch: Man uses forklift to trap would-be thief in car |
| Watch: Man uses forklift to trap would-be thief in car | Watch: Man uses forklift to trap would-be thief in car |