$3.4m in drugs seized from 4WD
Police claim to have exposed a gang smuggling drugs to the Pilbara after discovering about $3.4 million worth of cocaine, ecstasy and methylamphetamines hidden in vehicle parts transported from NSW.
More than 10kg of drugs were found after officers intercepted a NSW-registered Landcruiser towing a trailer in Chidlow on Wednesday, the culmination of a four-month sting by West Pilbara detectives and the organised crime squad.
About 32,000 ecstasy tablets, 2kg of methylamphetamine and almost 500g of cocaine were in 15 packages secreted in five automatic vehicle transmissions on the trailer.
Organised crime squad Acting Det-Sen. Sgt Craig Annesley claimed most of the drugs were destined for the Pilbara and the seizure would have an impact on the illicit trade in the area.
“Looking at the size … it’s certainly not from someone who’s doing a home manufacture … this is certainly beyond that,” he said. “This is a commercial quantity and it’s definitely part of an organised crime syndicate.”
“As we know these are drugs of harm. People bring these drugs of harm into Western Australia for the sake of greed and profit.”
He claimed the fact there were three different types of drugs found in one shipment was also evidence of the large-scale nature of the operation.
A 45-year-old NSW man faced court today charged with three counts of possession of prohibited drugs with intent to sell or supply. He has been remanded in custody to reappear on April 3.
Acting Det-Sen. Sgt Annesley said inquiries were ongoing into the man’s links.
