- A huge methamphetamine shipment found on a Thai cargo boat docked in Sydney, Australia.
- The haul, worth around 2.4 billion baht, was seized by Australian police earlier this month.
- 316 kilograms of methamphetamine were found concealed in barbecue grills and water heaters when officers searched the ship’s cargo.
Thailand’s Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) will work with Australia Federal Police (AFP) in investigating the syndicate behind the 316kg of methamphetamine found on a cargo ship from Thailand, reports Pattaya Mail.
Meth aboard cargo vessel
ONCB secretary-general Wichai Chaimongkol said the cargo had been loaded on a Chinese vessel, which left Laem Chabang on March 25.
“The cargo was then transferred to a Portuguese vessel in Singapore and arrived in Australia on April 30,” he said.
- The Australian Border Force intercepted the vessel on May 4 when it docked at Port Botany in Sydney.
- They found 316 kilos of crystalized meth or “ice” hidden in 62 large cardboard boxes labelled as food items and electric barbeque grills. The drug haul is estimated to have a street value of 94.5 million Australian dollars, or about THB2.29 billion.
Arrest warrants to be issued soon
Wichai said, “The ONCB have contacted related agencies at Thai embassies overseas to submit financial records and statements of those who are involved with the cargo ship.”
“We have also summoned the truck driver who had delivered the cardboard boxes to the ship for questioning. We believe that arrest warrants for those who are behind the operation will be issued very soon.”
Wichai added that the ONCB and AFP have been exchanging intelligence relating to international drug trafficking, money laundering and other crime syndicates to ensure effective law enforcement in the Asia-Australia regions.
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Source: Pattaya Mail
