8 July 2016

Handbags hiding $30 million ‘P’ don’t gel with Customs

Customs has seized a shipment of 4000 handbags hiding 30 kilograms of methamphetamine or ‘P’ inside small silica gel sachets, worth an estimated street value of $30 million.

Customs didn’t like the look of this shipment that arrived by air freight from China. On inspection, though the handbags appeared ordinary inside and out, something didn’t gel. Each handbag had two to five silica gel packs, with approximately 3.6 grams of ‘P’ hidden in most packs.

Customs Investigations Manager, Maurice O’Brien says this seizure is another great example of Customs’ intelligence-led approach to identifying risks, and excellent work by frontline officers who examine shipments to stop drugs from reaching our communities.

“This creative concealment shows that criminals will go to great lengths to try and smuggle drugs, but Customs is also constantly building its intelligence picture and updating its risk assessment and examination techniques to keep ahead of emerging trends.

“Customs officers know what to look out for, and are passionate and committed to protecting our communities. A large team spent a day-and-a-half opening and testing thousands of tiny meth-filled sachets that we’re proud to have kept off the streets.

“This is another big win for Customs and an even bigger win for our communities,” says Mr O’Brien.

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