Two men arrested over 233kg of cocaine found in aluminium bars from Mexico

Two men have faced a Sydney court today over an alleged 233kg cocaine importation from Mexico, concealed inside 1890 aluminium bars, worth a street value of over $104 million.

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Federal police found 233kg of cocaine encased in aluminium bars, allegedly sent to two men in Sydney by a Mexican cartel.

Police had to bash, drill and scrape their way through a thick coating of aluminium to reveal the 500gm bars of cocaine at the centre of the ingots – the solid-bar form often used to transport aluminium around the world.

The cocaine, imported from Mexico, was concealed inside aluminium bars.

The seized consignment on display today. Picture: John Grainger

One of the blocks of cocaine appeared to be stamped with the symbols “LMV3” and investigators confirmed the markings would be examined to try and determined which cartel was behind the shipment.

Acting AFP Commander Brett James said the shipment seized on September 22 was from a Mexican cartel with a street value of over $104 million.
“Our investigators and forensic specialists had to slice the tops off each and every ingot using industrial machinery,” Commander James said.

The cocaine was concealed in aluminium ingots. Picture: AFP

Police arrested Auburn 49-year-old Mehboob Shah and 60-year-old UK citizen Balraj Attra who was living in Castle Hill.
“We will allege these men were involved in attempting to possess the cocaine and preparing the cocaine for distribution into the community.”
Each of the men have been charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of cocaine, which carries up to life in jail if convicted. They did not apply for bail as their cases were adjourned to January 15 in Central Local Court on Wednesday.
“This cocaine would have crossed borders and oceans in an attempt to reach our streets,” Commander James said.
“Organised by a criminal network based in Mexico who do not care about the lives they impact along the way.
“What we see is that the demand for drugs in Australia is adding fuel to this drug trade, Australians are willing to pay significant higher prices … as a community we need to be asking ourselves why.”

 

The deconstructed aluminium ingot. Picture: AFP

Authorities had to drill into the aluminium bars. Picture: AFP

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The investigation involved U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations working with the AFP, which now has an officer stationed in Mexico.

The cocaine weighed 233kg, enough to affect 1.1 million users. Picture: AFP

“To have an officer on the ground in Mexico enables us to communicate directly with law enforcement agencies and collect intelligence from them,” Commander James said.

Originally published as Two men arrested over 233kg of cocaine found in aluminium bars from Mexico