Australia Finds Record Drug Haul Among Thai Terracotta Pots

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[quote]SYDNEY (Reuters) - [b]Australian police on Tuesday seized a record half a tonne of the drug ice and heroin worth up to A$500 million ($525 million) hidden in a shipment of terracotta pots from Thailand. Seven people, including four from Hong Kong, were arrested after a year-long investigation following a tip-off from U.S. authorities, police said.[/b]

[b]The 306 kg of methamphetamine, also known as ice, was Australia's biggest seizure of the drug, while the 252 kg of heroin was the nation's third largest-haul of heroin.[/b]

"At the end of the day, there's a lot of 'Mr Mediums' and 'Mr Littles' that work with 'Mr Big'," Deputy Commissioner Andrew Colvin told reporters. "I think we've got a good combination of the people responsible for this importation."

[b]The drugs were found hidden in a shipment of 3,200 terracotta pots at Sydney's Port Botany.[/b]

[b]Those arrested were charged with conspiracy to import illicit drugs and holding a commercial quantity of illicit drugs. The charges carry a maximum penalty of life in jail.[/b]

"We're talking about a significant quantity of two separate types of substances which generally have different source countries," Colvin said, adding the investigation was continuing and further arrests were possible.[/quote]

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