According to a joint media release from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Australian Border Force (ABF), $186 million worth of drugs was seized in Melbourne on Feb.5, and four men were arrested in relation to the case. A shipping container from South Africa was found to have abnormalities during a routine check by ABF officers in Melbourne. The container was declared to be carrying mining equipment, but the scanning image clearly showed there was something suspicious inside one of the machines. It was then passed on for an intrusive check, and 254 kg of cocaine and 104 kg of methamphetamine were found concealed in 358 packages within an iron ore extractor covered with activated charcoal.
Nuctech’s Relocatable Container/Vehicle Inspection System, which had just recently been upgraded, was instrumental in helping officials detect the contraband, and while praising the officers and staff at the Melbourne Container Examination Facility for the seizure, ABF Regional Commander Victoria and Tasmania, James Watson, stated, “Our officers have the expertise and technology to detect even the most sophisticated concealment. In this instance, our upgraded container x-ray technology has been able to penetrate through several layers of steel, machinery and coal/stones to identify these concealed packages.”
The seizure undoubtedly marks a renewing of the cooperation between Nuctech and Australian Customs, and places active influence on the market in Oceania and the neighboring countries. The seizure was reported by Yahoo, Sky News, and local media in Australia.