A SPRINGVALE storage facility was part of a $200 million drug raid last week.
In one of the largest single seizures of ephedrine in Australian history, Australian Federal Police (AFP), Department of Agriculture and the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS) worked together to seize 274 kilograms of ephedrine hidden in a rice shipment from India.
The ephedrine could have been used to make up to 200 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as ice, with a potential street value of $200 million.
The operation started on 16 July after Department of Agriculture biosecurity officers identified a crystalline substance distributed throughout about 3600 bags of basmati rice that arrived in the Port of Melbourne.
ACBPS confirmed the substance was ephedrine.
On 24 July the AFP started a controlled delivery of the consignment to a storage facility in Springvale.
On 5 August it was transported to a storage facility in the Sydney suburb of Fairfield.
Then last Monday 23 September, AFP officers executed nine search warrants in Melbourne and Sydney and seized evidence including $255,000 cash.
They arrested and charged three people – two Canadian nationals and an Australian man – over the importation and intended distribution of the ephedrine.
Indian authorities arrested an Indian national over organising the ephedrine and sending the consignment to Australia.
A fourth man was also arrested and is currently assisting police with their inquiries.
