Australian Federal Police (AFP) are seeking public assistance following the interception of a staggering 312kg of liquid methamphetamine intended for Melbourne, in an operation that highlights the effectiveness of law enforcement partnerships across borders.
The operation, aptly named “Tallow,” was initiated in July 2023 when special agents from Homeland Security Investigations and officers from US Customs and Border Protection at Los Angeles International Airport identified a suspicious shipment bound for Australia. Concealed within innocuous-sounding containers labeled as ‘vegetable fluid oil,’ the shipment held a massive 312kg of liquid methamphetamine.
The illicit substance was ingeniously hidden within two black drums, and its purity will be determined through further forensic testing. A collaborative effort between Australian and US law enforcement agencies led to the interception of the drugs and the monitoring of their intended delivery to Australia.
Upon its arrival in Australia, authorities held the shipment in storage for two weeks, during which they closely observed its movements. On September 5, 2023, AFP and Victoria Police oversaw the delivery of the consignment to a rural property near Tooborac, located approximately 100km north of Melbourne.
However, when the consignment remained unclaimed, AFP investigators executed search warrants at various locations in Melbourne and Brisbane. The rural property where the shipment was delivered turned out to be unoccupied, leaving authorities with uncertainty about whether the consignment was intended to be moved elsewhere.
As the investigation progresses, AFP Detective Superintendent Kristie Cressy emphasized the importance of strong domestic and international law enforcement collaborations in combating the influx of dangerous drugs into the community. Cressy underlined the collective objective of keeping illicit drugs off the streets and thwarting the efforts of profit-driven criminals.
She stated, “Criminals may work hard to plan and execute elaborate schemes, but the AFP and its partner agencies work harder to detect concealments of any nature.”
Detective Superintendent Cressy further encouraged individuals with any knowledge or information regarding this significant drug importation to come forward. Authorities believe there are individuals in Australia who may have information or may have witnessed suspicious activity near Tooborac in recent weeks.
The public is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppers.com.au to assist with the ongoing investigation and help ensure that such dangerous narcotics do not reach the streets of Melbourne or any other Australian community.
