1.7 Tons of Meth Seized at Port of Los Angeles
United States authorities seized 1.7 tons of methamphetamine bound for Australia at the Port of Los Angeles in Long Beach on January 9. The drugs seized have an estimated street value of $1.29 billion AUD, or $911 million USD and is the largest meth seizure ever on American soil.
Police in Australia arrested six people in Victoria and New South Wales who are believed to be involved with the US-based crime syndicate alleged to be behind the shipment. Australian authorities found 6.5 kg of meth and hundreds of thousands of dollars in what is believed to be crime proceeds while executing search warrants. Two of the suspects are Americans.
Canadian authorities conducted similar searches in Burnaby, British Columbia. The arrests are part of an ongoing joint investigation by US and Australian agencies. Australia established a national task-force to address the growing methamphetamine problem in Australia which has become the most commonly used illegal drug in the country.
The smugglers attempted to disguise the drugs in containers marked as carrying audio equipment. The drugs were hidden inside the electronic equipment and loaded onto wooden pallets. The drugs seized additionally included smaller amounts of cocaine and heroin.
The Australian state of Victoria is estimated to consume approximately 2 tons of meth annually. Authorities believe removing 1.7 tons before it reaches the streets may have a big effect on the illegal drug market. Last month Australian authorities arrested a Malindo Air flight crew on suspicion of importing copious amounts of methamphetamine into Australia.
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