Police in Western Australia have charged two people in relation to a huge haul of approximately 13kg of Methylamphetamine and nearly $4-million cash in September.
Although the seizure was made several weeks ago, details are only now being made public.
According to WA Police, on 21 September detectives from the Drug & Firearm Squad stopped a truck on Great Eastern Highway near Sawyers Valley, about 40km from Perth.
Truck had cash hidden in tubs
The truck, which had entered Western Australia two days earlier, was searched and it will be alleged that $3.88m million in cash was located in two plastic tubs. The truck driver, a 58-year-old man from New South Wales, was arrested.
As part of the same investigation, a search warrant was then executed at a residence in Lockridge, a suburb of Perth.
Detectives searched a vehicle parked at the residence and it will be alleged two bags containing a total of 13 packages, each with approximately 1kg of Methylamphetamine, were found. A 29-year-old man was arrested at the scene.
Total of five people now arrested
The 58-year-old man was refused bail and appeared in the Midland Magistrate’s Court on 22 September and again yesterday.
The 29-year-old man from was also refused bail and appeared in the Perth Magistrate’s court on 22 September and is next due to appear again today.
Three other men, a 26-year-old man and two 27-year-old men, were arrested during the course of the investigation and have been charged with separate drug offences.
Acting Assistant Commissioner, Allan Adams, said the seizure is yet another example of the great work being done by detectives from the Serious and Organised Crime Division.
Equal to 130,000 hits of Meth
“The seizure represents the removal of 130,000 hits of Meth from our streets and is a significant win for our community. Illicit drugs, particularly Meth, cause great harm to our community, to our families and to the health of so many vulnerable members of our community.
“In this instance we have not only seized the drugs, we have seized a record $3.88-million cash. That is cash that would have made its way back to more senior members of a Serious & Organised Crime Group and would have been used to purchase greater quantities of illicit drugs and repeat the community harm cycle”.
“Our investigation into the broader criminal network is continuing in partnership with law enforcement and intelligence agencies across Australia. There is clearly someone who was expecting to receive the cash and, given the amount of drugs seized, it is fair to suggest there was a further distribution network ready and waiting to take delivery.”
