Victoria Police have charged two men with drug trafficking offences following the seizure of 120kgs of pseudoephedrine found concealed under the floorboards of a shipping container.
In a statement, Victoria Police said the pseudoephedrine was first detected in the shipping container by Australian Border Force officials on 23 January.
The pseudoephedrine was seized and replaced with an inert substance. On 28 February, Police were notified that the consignment had been collected.
Officers from Mildura Divisional Response Unit subsequently attended an address in Euston, NSW.
“Two men present at the address fled on foot. With the assistance of New South Wales Police Force, the two men were taken into custody in Euston, NSW,” Victoria Police said.
Detectives from the Clandestine Laboratory Squad travelled to Mildura on 1 March to extradite the two men.
The pair from Robinvale, a 38-year-old and a 50-year-old, were charged with the Commonwealth offence of attempt to import border-controlled drug and attempt to traffick large commercial quantity drug of dependence.
The duo was extradited to Victoria and remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 15 June.
“This 120kg of pseudoephedrine would likely have been made into illicit drugs to sell on our streets, meaning we have stopped ill-gotten gains from reaching the pockets of those involved in this insidious venture,” said Mildura CIU Detective Senior Sergeant Liam Tinkler.
“Organised criminals distribute these harmful substances anywhere they see fit to make a profit, knowing full well the harm these drugs cause to our community.
“We’ve made no secret of the fact that Victoria Police is determined to make this state a hostile place for organised crime and in particular, those who are engaged in the manufacture and importation of drugs. We will continue to work with our partner agencies to ensure those involved in this kind of criminal activity will be caught and held to account.”
On 2 March, Clandestine Laboratory Squad officers, with assistance from Mildura Crime Investigation Unit, Mildura Divisional Response Unit and NSW Police executed a further three search warrants at residential addresses in Robinvale, Victoria and Euston, NSW. An imitation pump action shot gun was seized at one of the locations.
Anyone with information on the importation of illicit drugs is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit an anonymous report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
