Drugs found in ceramic horses bound for Broadmeadows, four arrested

Four men have been charged after federal police seized almost 15 kilograms of methamphetamine hidden in ceramic horse statues bound for Broadmeadows.

The alleged ringleader of the drug syndicate – a Sierra Leone man, aged 30 – was arrested in Truganina.

A Liberian man, 28, was arrested in Wyndham North, another Liberian man, 26, was arrested in St Albans, and an Australian man, 21, was arrested in Sunshine.

The alleged ringleader faced court yesterday. The other three men will face court today.

They are all charged with drug trafficking offences which, under Commonwealth laws, carry a maximum of life imprisonment. 

AFP Superintendent Matt Warren, Coordinator of Crime Operations Victoria, said today’s arrests have effectively shut down a sophisticated drug ring.

‘We will allege this group of men attempted to use scatter methods to import drugs into Victoria,’ Superintendent Warren said.

‘These arrests are particularly significant given we have managed to charge the alleged organiser of this drug syndicate, which will stop countless more attempts to import this horrendous drug.’