THE AUSTRALIAN Federal Police (AFP) says it seized more than 40kg of methamphetamine concealed inside a forklift counterweight at Port Botany last week.
Police officers descended on the site in after an intercept by Australian Border Force officers.
ABF officers had identified anomalies within a 1200kg forklift counterweight during an x-ray screening of a shipping container.
A subsequent forensic examination revealed a total of 46 one-kilogram packages, each one containing methamphetamine concealed inside the counterweight.
The AFP says it seized the drugs and will be conducting ongoing inquiries.
AFP detective superintendent Morgen Blunden said the drugs would have caused significant harm had it reached Australian communities.
“Stopping this shipment means stopping millions of dollars in criminal profit and preventing immeasurable harm to Australian families,” Det Supt Blunden said.
“The AFP remains steadfast in identifying, targeting and dismantling the criminal networks that attempt to funnel these dangerous substances into our country.”
ABF superintendent Jared Leighton said the ABF would continue to work with domestic and international partners to protect the integrity of the Australian border.
“This seizure represents a major disruption to organised criminal networks and the harm they seek to inflict on the Australian community," Supt Leighton said.
“Every detection stopped at the border prevents serious harm, and this example highlights the expertise and professionalism ABF officers bring to every examination.”