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SYDNEY — A Zimbabwean man is facing life in prison after an anonymous tip-off led police to seize nearly 900 kilograms of methamphetamine hidden in industrial machinery imported from the United States. The drugs, which have a black market value of up to $828 million, were found in Sydney.
Sydney Morning Herald
The discovery was made after US Homeland Security Investigations received an anonymous tip-off that a large quantity of drugs was linked to the Sydney-based store.
The man, 31-year-old Zimbabwe international Michael Charumbira, was arrested last Wednesday and will appear in Downing Centre Local Court on August 1.
He will remain in custody until his next court date on October 2.
The discovery was made based on an anonymous tip from the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations.
It is unclear whether the drugs were manufactured in the United States, Mexico or elsewhere, but police allege the large quantities of methamphetamine were intended for sale “on the East Coast.”
Charumbila was accused of conspiring to smuggle approximately 896 kilograms of methamphetamine concealed in packages inside two separate computer numerical control (CNC) machines.
On July 22, Australian Border Force officers inspected a container at Port Botany and found a powdery substance which, after presumptive testing, returned a positive result for an illicit drug.
Two men were arrested after they allegedly inspected and opened the container and began working with the contents with the help of a forklift.
ABF Acting Commander Asha Patwardhan said after the drug detection dogs returned a positive result, officers drilled through concrete and metal to remove a large number of individually wrapped packages.
The maximum penalty for this crime is life imprisonment.
Australian Federal Police Detective Superintendent Peter Fogarty estimated the nearly 900 kilograms of methamphetamine could equate to about 8.9 million street deals.
“Methamphetamine is the second most consumed illicit drug in Australia and its impact can ripple through the community, from our homes to our hospitals,” Detective Superintendent Fogarty said.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, an average of 27 people were admitted to hospital every day for methamphetamine-related issues in 2021-22.
“Criminal groups go to great lengths to conceal their activities, but that will never stop the Australian Federal Police and our partners at home and abroad. We will find those responsible and bring them to justice,” Detective Superintendent Fogarty said.
Department Chief Fogarty said criminal groups use a tactic known as “free riding,” which involves finding a legitimate business to ship illegal drugs to and then moving them.
Police said the drugs were intended for distribution “to the East Coast.”
Australian Federal Police Detective Superintendent Peter Fogarty said the bust was significant.
“Methamphetamine is the second most consumed illicit drug in Australia and its effects can spread throughout communities, homes and hospitals,” Fogarty said.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, an average of 27 people were admitted to hospital every day for methamphetamine-related issues in 2021-22.
“Criminal groups go to great lengths to conceal their activities, but that will never stop the Australian Federal Police and our partners at home and abroad. We will find those responsible and bring them to justice,” Detective Superintendent Fogarty said.
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