Major ice bust in Melbourne as $90m plot foiled

Australian Federal Police have arrested three men after tracking a suspicious cargo shipment from Canada bound for Melbourne.

Police seized almost 140kg of methamphetamine in the bust.

Three men have been arrested and almost $90 million of methamphetamine seized in Melbourne following a major police operation.

The Sunday Herald Sun can reveal the Australian Federal Police swooped to arrest the men on Wednesday following a joint operation with Canadian police.

The probe began when the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) identified a suspicious air cargo shipment in Toronto bound for Melbourne.

Closer examination revealed 140 kilograms of methamphetamine had been hidden inside an industrial dough mixing machine.

The drugs were hidden inside an industrial dough mixing machine. Picture: Supplied

A motorbike was seized during the raids. Picture: Supplied

Canadian police tracked the drugs as they were flown to Melbourne, where they landed on October 5.

Police then covertly monitored the drugs as they were moved to multiple locations in

Melbourne in what police say was a highly sophisticated attempt to avoid scrutiny from law enforcement.

On Wednesday police arrested the three men – aged 29, 33 and 37 – following raids in Keilor East, Williamstown, Ravenhall, Bonnie Brook, Maribyrnong, Sunbury and West Footscray.

During the raids police also seized large amounts of cash, estimated to be more than $1.5 million, various quantities of drugs, a handgun, two long arm firearms, ammunition, a motorbike and a used clandestine laboratory at a rural property containing drug manufacturing equipment.

Three men are facing charges over the alleged drug plot. Picture: Supplied

Police seized a handgun, two long arm firearms and ammunition among other items. Picture: Supplied

AFP Detective Superintendent Andrew Bailey said the success of the operation was based on co-operation between Australian and Canadian police, with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police playing a crucial role.

“It demonstrates the effectiveness of AFP Liaison Officers based in Washington DC and Los Angeles and RCMP Liaison Officers in Canberra,” he said.

“A significant component of Australia’s organised crime and drug threats are based offshore or have substantial offshore links.

“The AFP’s international network will continue to lead the work that the AFP and Australian law enforcement conduct offshore.”

One of the weapons that was seized. Picture: Supplied

Some of the cash that was seized. Picture: Supplied

The investigation in Australia was run by the Victorian Joint Organised Crime Taskforce – made up of officers and staff from the AFP, Victoria Police, Australian Border Force, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission and the Department of Home Affairs.

ABF Commander of enforcement operations south James Watson said: “Methamphetamine has a devastating effect on the community, which is why the ABF and our partner agencies are constantly on alert for illicit drugs at our borders.

“No matter how criminals attempt to conceal their packages, the ABF has the skills, technology and the resources to detect these harmful substances and bring the criminals to justice.”

The men have been charged with a range of offences including attempting to import a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs and attempting to possess a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs.

All three were remanded in custody to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on March 23 next year.