Charumbira could be sentenced to life in prison after an anonymous tip led to the confiscation of nearly 900 kilograms of methamphetamine, which was concealed in industrial machinery imported from the United States.
The drugs, valued at a staggering US$828 million, were found in Sydney. The discovery was a result of a tip-off from the United States’ Homeland Security Investigations connecting large drug shipments to a store in Sydney.
The 31-year-old Zimbabwean, Michael Charumbira, was arrested and appeared before the Downing Centre Local Court on August 1. He will remain in custody until his next court date on October 2.
The discovery was prompted by a tip-off from the United States’ Homeland Security Investigations.
It remains unclear whether the drugs were produced in the US, Mexico, or elsewhere. However, the police will assert that the significant amount of meth was intended for distribution “across the eastern seaboard.”
Charumbira was charged with attempting to import an estimated 896 kilograms of methamphetamine concealed inside packages within two separate computer numerical control (CNC) machines.
On July 22, officers from the Australian Border Force inspected a shipping container in Port Botany and found a powdered substance, which was identified as the illicit drug through presumptive testing.
Two men were arrested after examining and opening the shipping container and attempting to handle the contents with the help of a forklift.
ABF Acting Commander Asha Patwardhan mentioned that officers had to drill through concrete and metal to access the numerous individually wrapped packages after drug-detecting dogs indicated a positive result.
The maximum penalty for the offense is life imprisonment.
AFP Detective Superintendent Peter Fogarty estimated that the nearly 900kg quantity of methamphetamine could correspond to around 8.9 million individual street transactions.
“Methamphetamine is the second-most consumed illicit drug in Australia and its impact can be felt across the community, from our homes to our hospitals,” Det-Supt Fogarty said.
According to an Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Report, in 2021-22, an average of 27 people were admitted to hospital per day for methamphetamine-related issues.
“Criminal syndicates go to great lengths to conceal their activities, but that will never deter the AFP and its domestic and international partners. We will find those responsible and bring them before the courts,” Det-Supt Fogarty said.
Dept-Supt Fogarty said criminal syndicates would use a strategy known as “piggy backing” where they identify a legitimate business to ship illegal drugs to before diverting them away.
Police allege the drugs were intended to be distributed “across the eastern seaboard”.
Australian Federal Police Detective Superintendent Peter Fogarty said the bust was significant.
“Methamphetamine is the second-most-consumed illicit drug in Australia, and its impact can be felt across the community, in our homes and in our hospitals,” said Fogarty.
According to an Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Report, in 2021-22, an average of 27 people were admitted to hospital per day for methamphetamine-related issues.
“Criminal syndicates go to great lengths to conceal their activities, but that will never deter the AFP and its domestic and international partners. We will find those responsible and bring them before the courts,” Det-Supt Fogarty said. — Sydney Morning Herald/SkyNews
