The Coalition Government is committed to preventing the damage ‘ice’ causes in our communities and this detection by the Australian Border Force (ABF), as part of Operation Serpia, shows that our hardline approach is getting results.
The Minister for Immigration and Border Protection Peter Dutton said the ingrained and developing market for the production, distribution and use of this terrible drug is a national concern.
“By detecting these drugs before they reach our streets the ABF has again shown itself to be a professional, world class border enforcement agency. Every officer involved in this detection should be justly proud of today’s result,” Mr Dutton said.
“I wish to extend my thanks to the hard working men and women of the ABF and the Australian Federal Police who have disrupted a major narcotic smuggling ring.
“Transnational crime syndicates look to violate our borders to conduct their trade. The ABF was set up to confront, disrupt and deter these criminals. Today ABF officers have again shown, in collaboration with our partnership law enforcement agencies, we can and will put them out of business.”
The penalties these accused smugglers now face should serve as a stark warning to others that the risks of drug importation just aren’t worth it.