Man arrested over meth in portable medical shower

An investigation into the importation of approximately 20 kilograms of methamphetamine resulted in the arrest of a 42-year-old man from Western Sydney yesterday.

The methamphetamine was concealed inside the pieces of a portable disinfectant tunnel – a device people walk through to have water or disinfectant sprayed on them – that was sent from Iran.

The concealment was detected on 3 November 2020 when Australian Border Force (ABF) officers in Sydney examined the air cargo consignment. The pieces of the device included a water pump, fuse box, tubing and a stand that was covered in fake grass. ABF officers found a white granular substance hidden inside some of this equipment, which presumptively tested positive to methamphetamine.

Australian Federal Police (AFP) investigators estimate the weight of the methamphetamine to weigh 20 kilograms. The exact weight and purity will be the subject of further forensic analysis.

Delivery of the consignment was arranged to an address in South Granville. A 42-year-old Merrylands man was later observed by police accepting delivery of the consignment. He was arrested, and his vehicle was searched by AFP officers.

He was charged with one count of attempt to possess a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, contrary to section 307.5 (1) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is life imprisonment.

The man is scheduled to appear before Parramatta Local Court today.

AFP Detective Christopher Jessop said investigations into this importation remain ongoing.

“The work of the AFP officers investigating this matter will continue, with enquiries to determine other people involved in organising the importation of methamphetamine, or links to street-level distributors,” he said.

“Methamphetamine is an insidious drug – it is highly-addictive, can directly lead to violence and mental health issues, and the demand for it results in property crime and other offenses by addicts seeking money to fund their next hit. That’s why it is important we take it off the streets, and look to target those profiting from the distribution of it in Australia.”

ABF Acting Port Operations East Commander Brendan Slape said ABF officers are committed to stopping illegal drugs entering Australia and harming the community.

“ABF officers are highly skilled and they have the training and technology to find illicit substances, regardless of how they’re concealed,” A/g Commander Slape said.

“Ice is a deadly drug and it has a devastating effect on society, which is why the ABF will continue to work tirelessly to keep it out of the Australian community.”

/Public Release. View in full here.