Photo: realfmgy.com

On Wednesday 9 November, Australian Border Force (ABF) officers at the Melbourne Container Examination Facility (CEF) examined a consignment from Thailand that contained 10 hydraulic arms.

ABF officers referred the matter to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) after one of the hydraulic arms was found to contain a white substance believed to be heroin.

Subsequent examination by the AFP located approximately five kilograms of heroin concealed within the hydraulic arms.

On Friday 18 November, the AFP conducted a controlled delivery of the consignment to an address in Sunshine West, Victoria.

The men, a 21-year-old Sunshine North man, a 27-year-old Sunshine Northman and a 25-year-old Sunshine West man, were subsequently arrested by police.

They were charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, contrary to section 307.5(1) by virtue of section 11.1(1) of the Criminal Code 1995.

AFP Commander Paul Osborne, Manager Crime Operations, said Australian law enforcement agencies are committed to targeting those who believe they are above the law.

“This operation should send a strong warning to criminals. No matter the size of the seizure, if you participate in criminal activity, we will investigate and bring those responsible to justice,” Commander Osborne said.

ABF Regional Commander Victoria and Tasmania James Watson praised the initial detection by officers at the Melbourne CEF, saying the identification highlighted the skill of these officers and the quality of the technology available to them.

“The ABF has invested heavily to upgrade our x-ray screening capabilities. Our highly trained officers have the best technology available to detect these concealments and prevent such dangerous narcotics from reaching our community,” Commander Watson said.

The men appeared before the Melbourne Magistrates Court today (Tuesday 22 November) where they were remanded in custody until 28 February 2017.