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Deadly substance found hidden in fake Chupa Chups lollipops

Three men have been arrested in Sydney after authorities uncovered a haul of illicit drugs hiding inside popular Australian confectionary items.

The arrests stem from a taskforce set up by the Northern Beaches Police Area Command after the Australia Border Force intercepted three packages in November 2020 containing methylamphetamine and cocaine hidden inside Chupa Chups lollipops and lollies masquerading as Life Savers.

As part of an ongoing investigation from November through to March 2021, authorities seized 5.83 kilograms of methylamphetamine and 655 grams of cocaine, contained in 16 parcels bound for the Northern Beaches, Parramatta, Macquarie Park, Chatswood and Ryde, NSW police said.

The drugs had been pressed into the shaped of circular Life Savers and lollipops with a potential street value of $3.5 million.

The fake Chupa Chups intercepted by police.
The drugs had a potential street value of $3.5 million. Source: NSW Police

Fake Chupa Chups and Life Savers potentially deadly

Given the potency of the items, they could have been lethal had they wound up in the wrong hands and been mistakenly consumed as lollies, authorities warned.

Northern Beaches Police Area Commander, Superintendent Patrick Sharkey, said the drugs posed a significant risk to the community.

“The manufacturing and packaging of these drugs was sophisticated, and they could have easily been mistaken for the sweets they were disguised as by both children and adults,” said Superintendent Sharkey.

“It is very concerning given the drugs were uncut and had a potency that could potentially cause serious injury or death if ingested.”

Border Force official John Fleming said authorities were well versed in the crafty tactics used by importers of illegal items.

“Criminals might think that by using a scattergun approach to sending numerous packages containing drugs to different locations the packages will be missed by ABF officers, but that’s not the case,” he said.

“The ABF are always on the look-out for prohibited items being smuggled in goods like clothing, household goods, or in this case food items.”

Had the drugs been consumed as lollies, they could have been deadly.
Had the drugs been consumed as lollies, they could have been lethal police said. Source: NSW Police

Three Sydney men arrested

Detectives executed search warrants at properties in the Northern Beaches, Sydney’s CBD and Ryde at about 6am this morning.

During the searches, police arrested three men, aged 21, 31 and 49, at homes in Dee Why, Macquarie Park, and Collaroy Plateau. All three men were taken to Manly Police Station.

Inquiries continue.

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