Refrigeration made the headlines for unusual reasons recently when more than half a tonne of the drug ice was found in a shipment of imported fridges.
Australian Border Force officers at the Sydney Container Examination Facility examined the container shipped from Singapore.
It was declared to contain electronic ovens but was found to have 11 commercial refrigerators instead. X-rays revealed inconsistencies within their construction.
When the refrigerators were unpacked, seven were found to contain bags of a white crystalline substance. Testing returning a positive indicator for methylamphetamine, otherwise known as ice.
The packages contained a total of 585kg of ice, with an estimated potential street value of $438 million.
The drugs have since been seized and a joint investigation established by the Australian Federal Police, NSW Police Force’s Organised Crime Squad, and the Australian Border Force.
On Friday, April 5 two search warrants were executed at a commercial premises at Wetherill Park and a home at Edensor Park.
During the searches, officers seized documents relevant to the investigation and electronic storage devices.
Joint investigations under Strike Force Collarene continue.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
Images are from here.