Cocaine and methamphetamine were concealed in 1105 bottles of beer found at a Tullamarine address. Pictures: CONTRIBUTED
By Laura Wakely
A 27-YEAR-OLD Yarraville man who used beer bottles to smuggle 55 kilograms of cocaine and methamphetamine into Australia faces life imprisonment and a fine of up to $750,000.
An investigation began on Tuesday 11 October when a consignment of 672 cases of Mexican beer arrived at the Port of Melbourne from Mexico.
Customs and Border Protection officers targeted and examined the consignment and discovered a number of the bottles contained a clear liquid that was not consistent with other bottles containing beer.
Forensic tests indicated the liquid, a total of 390 litres, contained cocaine and methamphetamine, with further investigations revealing a value of up to $14 million.
The consignment was delivered to an address in Tullamarine where it was unloaded and delivered to various addresses in Melbourne, including 39 cases to the home of the Yarraville man.
Seven search warrants were executed on Wednesday 26 October in various suburbs including Yarraville, where the 27-year-old was arrested by Australian Federal Police (AFP).
He was charged with attempting to possess commercial quantities of unlawfully imported border controlled drugs, namely cocaine and methamphetamine.
AFP Manager Melbourne Commander Scott Lee said the man was a member of an international drug syndicate and that the operation between Victoria Police, Customs and Border Protection and the AFP had resulted in the syndicate being dismantled.
“Australian law enforcement is more united than ever in the fight against organised crime and the disruption we have caused to this network cannot be underestimated,” Cdr Lee said.
Customs and Border Protection National Manager Sea Cargo and International Mail Graham Krisohos said this was a great example of agencies working together to combat organised crime.
“If such a large drug operation had been allowed to infiltrate Australian communities it would pose real and very damaging social and health consequences,” Mr Krisohos said.
“Combating international drug smuggling requires high-level partnerships such as those displayed in this operation.”
Investigations are continuing and a number of further arrests are expected.
