K26 million drug trade uncovered

A HOUSE in Adelaide, South Australia, had been raided as part of an international operation to stop a 500kg shipment of cannabis from Papua New Guinea, The Adelaide Advertiser reported yesterday.
The Australian federal police (AFP) allegedly seized a small hydroponic crop of cannabis and amphetamine powder in Wynn Vale, South Australia, on Saturday as well as making other seizures in PNG and Brisbane.
The AFP and the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary joined forces to thwart a drug syndicate allegedly conspiring to import 500kg of cannabis to Australia with an estimated street value of A$10 million (K26 million).
A New Zealand man, 27, has been bailed to appear in the Adelaide magistrates court in February.
He is one of  three people charged with conspiring to import 500kg of cannabis.
He is also charged with money laundering.
Another New Zealand man, 29, and a Papua New Guinea woman, 30, will appear in Brisbane magistrates court today.
A PNG national was arrested with an alleged 18.9kg of cannabis bound for Australia.
AFP national manager for border and international, Assistant Commissioner Kevin Zuccato, said the estimated street value of the 500kg of cannabis was more than A$10 million.
“A disruption of this magnitude is also estimated to save the Australian community more than A$12 million in associated health and social costs,” Mr Zuccato said. – The Adelaide Advertiser