$1.62bn in liquid meth busted by AFP, Australian Border Force and Hong Kong authorities

In the largest meth bust Hong Kong has ever seen, AFP and Australia Border force say 18 million potential street deals have been prevented by the seizure of 1.8 tonnes of liquid meth disguised as a shipment of coconut water.

Hong Kong Customs and Excise, aided by AFP and Australian Border Force, seized a record-breaking 1.8 tonnes of liquid methamphetamine hidden in cartons of coconut water. Picture: Supplied

Australian Federal Police and Australian Border Force working with Hong Kong Customs and Excise have intercepted a record-breaking 1.8 tonnes of liquid ­methamphetamine disguised as cartons of coconut water bound for Australia.

The cartons, destined for NSW, are estimated to have a street value of $1.62bn.

It is the largest bust Hong Kong has ever conducted.

The Hong Kong authority led the operation last week after intelligence developed by AFP officers in Mexico led AFP officers in Hong Kong to a “suspicious consignment” being shipped from Mexico to Australia via Hong Kong.

Hong Kong customs official Fong Heung-wing told local media that coconut water shipments to Hong Kong were ­“extremely rare” and that the size of the shipment had added to the suspicion. The meth was identified after Hong Kong authorities X-rayed the shipment.

AFP Detective Superintendent Patrick Gordon, AFP’s senior officer in Mexico, said the amount of meth seized prevented tens of thousands of street deals.

Hong Kong Customs and Excise aided by AFP and Australian Border Force seized a record-breaking 1.8 tonnes of liquid methamphetamine hidden in cartons of coconut water. Picture: Supplied

“This amount of meth could have been sold as about 18 million street level deals, so the NSW and Australian community is safer ­because these drugs were seized,” he said.

Superintendent Gordon said the seizure also demonstrated the importance of international law enforcement co-ordination in disrupting organised crime – ­especially attempts to import ­illicit drugs into Australia “at the community’s expense”.

The AFP said police investigations were ongoing to identify the “serious” transnational organised criminals involved in the plot.

“By ensuring those drugs did not reach the Australian community, the AFP and its partners saved the community about $737m in drug-related harm, including associated crime, healthcare and loss of productivity,” Australian Border Force Commander of International Operations, Chris Gower, said.

Compared to Europe, Asia and Oceania, Australia has the highest consumption of meth per capita according to a 2021 Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission report.

“The harsh reality is that Australia’s problem of illicit drug use is bankrolling a raft of dangerous and brutal cartels, triads and outlaw motorcycle gangs,” Mr Gordon said. “These criminals undermine our national security and our economy. They make our suburbs and roads less safe.”

Hong Kong Customs and Excise authorities say the liquid meth seized was of a “high purity”. Picture: Supplied

Senior Superintendent Lee ­­Ka-ming, head of the drug investigation bureau in Hong Kong said it was believed the meth was “of a high purity”. “It was packaged (in Mexico) and shipped via a convoluted route to Hong Kong, to be sent to Australia,” Superintendent Lee said.

This comes after Hong Kong, only days earlier seized meth worth over $14m hidden in electrical transformers that was also destined for Australia.