By Melissa Brown for ABC
Australian federal authorities have intercepted a record amount of the potentially deadly opioid fentanyl, hidden inside machinery sent to Melbourne.
The fentanyl was found inside industrial lathes that arrived at Port of Melbourne Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
The Australia Federal Police (AFP) and Australia Border Force (ABF) today announced the seizure of 11 kilograms of fentanyl and 30kg of methamphetamine found inside an industrial wooden lathe - machinery used for wood or metal working - that arrived at the Port of Melbourne from Canada in December last year.
The AFP said it was the equivalent of more than 5 million potentially lethal doses of fentanyl and $27 million worth of methamphetamine.
Australia had only ever recorded illicit fentanyl importations of less than 30g, with the first case in 2017.
"So, to have a detection of 11kgs pure is just quite frankly extraordinary," ABF Commander James Watson said.
Fentanyl is a fast-acting opioid that is highly addictive and acts on the same receptors in the body as heroin.
The drug is primarily used for medical purposes, but the AFP says it can be mixed with heroin in overseas illicit drug markets, often with fatal consequences.
Investigations to confirm the presence of the drugs and extract them from the machinery took place in a carefully planned operation in February, with paramedics on hand throughout the two-week process due to the possible danger of any exposure to officers.
AFP acting Commander Anthony Hall praised officers who became suspicious about the shipment.
"People who use illicit drugs can never be certain of what they are ingesting, and this seizure highlights the potentially lethal game of Russian roulette that they play," he said.
The AFP, ABF and the department of Home Affairs have established a joint operation to identify those responsible for importing the fentanyl.
- ABC