Putrid cow hide haul reveals a record drug catch
A Mexican drug cartel allegedly plotted to smuggle 755kg of crystal methamphetamine in raw and untreated cow hides because they thought the smell would deter authorities. Police say the $560 million haul would have equated to more than 7.5 million street deals.
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A Mexican drug cartel allegedly plotted to smuggle drugs in “putrid” raw cow hides because they thought the smell would discourage authorities from searching the shipment.
Australian Border Force officers in Sydney allegedly found 755kg of crystal methamphetamine, known as ice, in a container marked “Salty Bovine Skin Cuervo”. It contained 18 pallets of raw and untreated hides. Allegedly bundled inside were 161 packages of high-grade methamphetamine.
It was the biggest onshore seizure of ice from Mexico and police say the $560 million haul would have equated to more than 7.5 million street deals.
Mexican national Juan Manuel Plaza Lopez, 42, appeared at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Thursday charged with importing a commercial quantity of ice on August 10. He was also charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of drugs. The charges carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
Australian Federal Police is still investigating what links Mr Plaza Lopez — who arrived on a tourist visa this month — may have had to Mexican drug cartels.
Police seized electronic equipment when they raided a St Kilda address and it is hoped that might reveal which local criminal organisation was the likely buyer and distributor.
The AFP has said the investigation was ongoing and there could be more arrests in Australia or overseas.
Australian Border Force Victoria commander Craig Palmer said the container raised a number of red flags.
“It certainly didn’t smell right,” Commander Palmer said.
He said hiding the haul in cow hides was a “unique method”, but Mexican cartels were known to use hazardous substances to mask drugs.
“This seizure shows there is no real foolproof way of importing drugs into this country,” he said.
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He said while the hides would have been unlikely to pass Australia’s strict quarantine measures, the container had been singled out for inspection at an early stage.
Australian Federal Police commander Amanda Kates praised the officers who uncovered the drugs.
“The scene was putrid, rancid, stomach churning, nauseating and just plain awful,” she said.
Local organised crime gangs, such as bikie groups, have been known to distribute drugs for Mexican cartels.