Australian police in record $840-M methamphetamine haul

This image released on Friday, June 7, 2019 by Australian Federal Police, shows methamphetamine seized by Australian Border Force. Australian officials say they have seized the nation’s largest haul of methamphetamine at the Melbourne waterfront in a shipment of almost 1.6 metric tons (1.8 tons) of the illicit drug hidden in stereo speakers shipped from Bangkok. (Australian Federal Police via AP)

SYDNEY — Australian police have seized a record $840 million worth of methamphetamine or “ice” hidden in stereo speakers shipped from Thailand, officials said Friday.

Australian Border Force agents found 1.6 tons of methamphetamine and 37 kilograms (81.5 pounds) of heroin in vacuum-sealed packages lodged inside the speakers after the shipment arrived in Melbourne, they said.

“This is the largest meth bust we’ve ever seen in this country,” border force commander Craig Palmer said.

The haul size demonstrates “the brazen nature of those involved in this criminal activity,” he added.

No arrests were made in connection with the smuggling operation and police appealed to the public for leads on who was involved.

Palmer said the seized “ice” had a street value of Aus$1.2 billion and was the equivalent of 10 percent of all the drugs seized by the border force in the previous year.  /muf