A SHIPMENT of ride-on lawnmowers was the unlikely cover for a record 271kg cocaine bust with an estimated street value of $200 million. Three men - two from China, aged 33 and 35, and a 20-year-old Melbourne man - are expected to face court over the haul.
It is Victoria's largest cocaine seizure and the fifth largest in Australian history.
A shipping container from Brazil arrived in Melbourne on August 19 via Hong Kong and was said to contain eight ride-on mowers.
An X-ray inspection uncovered anomalies and further investigations revealed 29 wooden boxes inside each lawnmower crate, containing a total of 271 vacuum-sealed plastic bags wrapped in tape.
Preliminary tests indicated the presence of cocaine.
Federal Police completed a controlled delivery of 60kg of the drug to an address in Melbourne's CBD, which led to the arrest of a man and the seizure of almost $230,000 in cash.
The maximum penalty for importing a commercial quantity of cocaine is life imprisonment and or an $825,000 fine.
Border protection manager for sea cargo Graham Krisohos said stopping the drugs from reaching the streets was a significant victory.
"This seizure is ... yet more proof that the Government's strategy on combating organised crime is working," he said.
"This is just not rhetoric - we are making a difference."
Federal Police national manager for crime operations Ramzi Jabbour said police were better equipped than ever in the fight against organised crime.
"This seizure and subsequent arrests are another example of our commitment to combating these criminal groups that jeopardise the health and safety of the Australian community," Assistant Commissioner Jabbour said.
heraldsun.com.au 17 Sep 2011
A proud find in anyone's books, and definitely a credit to all those involved.
Although it is only a small dent into the nation's drug trade.
This figure accounts for only approximately 13% of the monthly amount traded in drugs.
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