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11 December 2020, 2:09pm
Media Release

Joint agency investigation drug haul

This is a joint media release between the Australian Federal Police and South Australia Police.

A man has been charged following a joint investigation between Australian Border Force (ABF), the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and South Australia Police (SAPOL) in to a $1.8million dollar drug haul.

On Sunday 15 November, Australian Border Force (ABF) officers intercepted an air cargo consignment at the Melbourne Gateway Facility that consisted of three separate packages. The consignment originated from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates and was destined for an address in suburban Adelaide.

One of the packages was examined and found to contain a mock pulley wheel that appeared to have been purpose built for concealment.  The examination revealed a crystalline substance secreted within the pulley wheel, believed to be methamphetamine. ABF referred the investigation to the Australian Federal Police (AFP).

An investigation was then undertaken by the South Australia Joint Agency Ice Strike Team (JAIST) comprised of both SAPOL and AFP officers.  As part of this investigation three pulley wheels were the subject of further examination and deconstruction and each was found to contain approximately 1.2 kilograms of a white crystalline substance believed to be methamphetamine. The total quantity of methamphetamine seized was 3.6 kilograms.

On Friday 27 November, Detectives from the JAIST, assisted by members from SAPOL’s Serious and Organised Crime Branch and the AFP attended at a Klemzig address and arrested a 26-year-old man.

He was charged with one count of trafficking in a large commercial quantity of a controlled drug.  Police bail was refused and he appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court. He was granted court bail to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on 25 May 2021.

Police will allege the 3.6 kilograms of methamphetamine seized has a street value of approximately $1.8 million.

Detective Chief Inspector Darren Fielke, Investigations Manager at Serious and Organised Crime said the success of this investigation highlights the high level of collaboration and information sharing capabilities between each of the participating law enforcement agencies.

“This collaboration is a strength of law enforcement and is highly effective in attacking drug trafficking activities occurring within Australian communities.” Detective Chief Inspector Fielke said.

“The COVID-19 border restrictions have not stopped drug traffickers and serious organised crime groups from trying to prey on our communities because they know Australians will pay a high price for illicit drugs.  Criminals have been adapting to the changed circumstances, but the community can feel confident that law enforcement agencies, through teams like the JAIST, are agile and are working closely together to stay one step ahead and protect Australian communities.”

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