Taskforce Makes Largest Meth Seizure in Australia’s History
This is an extract of a joint media release issued by the Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force, Western Australia Police Force, AUSTRAC and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission
Police will allege in court a marine vessel, the Valkoista, arrived at the Port of Geraldton, WA, around 2am WST on 21 December 2017. Police will allege the drugs were then offloaded into a white hire van shortly before 4am WST. Tactical response police officers intercepted the van as it reversed from the dock.
A record 1.2 tonnes of methamphetamine has been seized on the west coast of Australia and eight men have been charged as a result of a complex, multi-agency investigation traversing the country. It is the largest meth bust in Australia’s history, topping an unrelated 903-kilogram seizure in Melbourne in the first quarter of 2017. It is the largest ever drug seizure in Western Australia.
The Western Australian Joint Organised Crime Task Force (WA JOCTF) has been working in close partnership since July to dismantle a drug trafficking network, believed to be based in Australia. The WA JOCTF involves the Australian Federal Police (AFP), Western Australia Police Force, Australian Border Force (ABF), AUSTRAC, and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission. It also received assistance from members of the Department of Home Affairs.