Four arrested in African drug syndicate using ceramic horses to smuggle meth into Australia
Police smash an African drug syndicate uncovering 11 kilograms of methamphetamine hidden inside ceramic horse statues in a Melbourne-bound delivery.
Four men were arrested and charged after a three-month investigation which began in November last year.
Australian Border Force officers launched Operation Conure on November 24 last year when they discovered a shipment headed for Broadmeadows. The package contained ceramic horse statues, allegedly filled with 10.9 kilograms of methamphetamine.
The AFP conducted investigations when a controlled delivery was carried out on December 1, with officers identifying three suspects.
A fourth suspect, a 30-year-old man from Sierra Leone, was later identified, believed to be the mastermind of the horse statue importation.
Police allege the four men are linked to other Melbourne drug seizures, including a further 1.5 kilogram methamphetamine bust last year.
An alleged link was also uncovered between the Sierra Leone man and a separate 2.4km methamphetamine importation in November.
Acting on this information, the AFP conducted four search warrants on Wednesday across Melbourne.
The Sierra Leone alleged ringleader was arrested in Truganina; a 28-year-old Liberian man was arrested in Wyndham North; a 26-year-old Liberian man was arrested in St Albans; and a 21-year-old Australian national was arrested in Sunshine.
All four men have been charged with importing a commercial quantity of methamphetamine, and attempting to possess an unlawfully imported substance.
The 30-year-old man appeared before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court yesterday. The other three men faced court today.
AFP Superintendent Matt Warren said today’s arrests have effectively shut down a sophisticated drug ring.
“We will allege this group of men attempted to use scatter methods to import drugs into Victoria,” Superintendent Warren said.
“These arrests are particularly significant given we have managed to charge the alleged organiser of this drug syndicate, which will stop countless more attempts to import this horrendous drug.”
ABF Superintendent Michael Lewis, Maritime Operations, said the amount of harm these drugs could have caused the community cannot be understated.
“This operation is another example of the excellent work our officers undertake every day. We are very pleased with the results of the operation and are confident our efforts have significantly reduced the amount of drugs being supplied here in Melbourne,” Superintendent Lewis said.
The maximum penalty for commonwealth importation offences is life imprisonment.
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