Australian police seize record $104 mln heroin shipment

Australian police said they seized the largest heroin shipment ever detected in the country on Saturday, worth an estimated A$140 million ($104 million), and arrested a Malaysian national over the importation of the illicit drug.

The police said in a statement that, the 450-kg (990-pound) shipment as heavy as a grand piano was detected in a sea freight container of ceramic tiles sent from Malaysia and addressed to a Melbourne business.

“The man was charged with importing and attempted possession of a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug. The maximum penalty is life imprisonment,” the police said.

Accoring to Krissy Barrett, Australian Federal Police Commissioner Southern Command, The Australian Federal Police was working with the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP).

“We continue to work together in identifying and disrupting transnational organised crime syndicates that seek to harm both our nations and generate millions of dollars of profits from criminal activity,” Barrett said.

The police estimated the interception of the heroin saved 225 lives, based on their estimates that there was one death in the Australian community for approximately every 2 kilograms of heroin consumed.

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Kamila/Reuters