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Australian police find record drug haul in terracotta pots | Australian police find record drug haul in terracotta pots |
(10 days later) | |
Australian police have seized a record half a tonne of the drug ice and heroin worth up to A$500m (£335m) hidden in a shipment of terracotta pots from Thailand. | Australian police have seized a record half a tonne of the drug ice and heroin worth up to A$500m (£335m) hidden in a shipment of terracotta pots from Thailand. |
Seven people, including four from Hong Kong, were arrested after a year-long investigation following a tip-off from US authorities, police said. | Seven people, including four from Hong Kong, were arrested after a year-long investigation following a tip-off from US authorities, police said. |
The 306kg of methamphetamine, also known as ice, was Australia's biggest seizure of the drug, while the 252kg of heroin was the nation's third largest-haul of heroin. | The 306kg of methamphetamine, also known as ice, was Australia's biggest seizure of the drug, while the 252kg of heroin was the nation's third largest-haul of heroin. |
"At the end of the day, there's a lot of 'Mr Mediums' and 'Mr Littles' that work with 'Mr Big'," Deputy Commissioner Andrew Colvin told reporters. "I think we've got a good combination of the people responsible for this importation." | "At the end of the day, there's a lot of 'Mr Mediums' and 'Mr Littles' that work with 'Mr Big'," Deputy Commissioner Andrew Colvin told reporters. "I think we've got a good combination of the people responsible for this importation." |
The drugs were found hidden in a shipment of 3,200 terracotta pots at Sydney's Port Botany. | The drugs were found hidden in a shipment of 3,200 terracotta pots at Sydney's Port Botany. |
Those arrested were charged with conspiracy to import illicit drugs and holding a commercial quantity of illicit drugs. The charges carry a maximum penalty of life in jail. | Those arrested were charged with conspiracy to import illicit drugs and holding a commercial quantity of illicit drugs. The charges carry a maximum penalty of life in jail. |
"We're talking about a significant quantity of two separate types of substances which generally have different source countries," Colvin said, adding the investigation was continuing and further arrests were possible. | "We're talking about a significant quantity of two separate types of substances which generally have different source countries," Colvin said, adding the investigation was continuing and further arrests were possible. |
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