SYDNEY, May 10 (Xinhua) -- A Malaysian national has been charged for his involvement in the importation of 100 kg of methamphetamine into Australia, authorities confirmed on Friday.
According to a joint statement by the Australian Federal Police and Australian Border Force, the investigation commenced in April after a consignment of six boxes arrived into Sydney's Port Botany.
Police found that 100 kg of methamphetamine were concealed in the soles of black leather shoes, with the consignment addressed to a western Sydney storage facility.
On Monday, a 49-year-old Malaysian man attempted to collect the consignment using a forged identification, but failed. He then drove on the Hume Highway toward Melbourne.
Following related investigations, detectives identified the man and executed a search warrant at his home in Melbourne on Thursday.
During the search, police located two mobile devices that were used to facilitate the importation as well as the fake license provided to the freight forwarder.
The man was charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of meth, which could carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
After appearing before Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday morning, the offender is expected to return to the same court in August.
ABF Inspector Marc Rea noted that the seized methamphetamine equated to approximately 1 million individual street deals.
"That's 92 million Australian dollar (about 60.8 million U.S. dollars) worth of this insidious drug that won't end up on our streets," Rea added. ■
