In Australia, Taiwanese authorities thwarted an alleged plot to smuggle methamphetamine into Australia using 3D printers.

Authorities foiled a conspiracy by two men believed to be high-ranking members of an international crime syndicate to smuggle methamphetamine into Western Australia hidden inside 3D printers.

Two men, aged 36 and 33, were arrested in July and October in Taiwan after one of them came to the attention of the Australian Federal Police during Operation Ironside, an Australian law enforcement mission that intercepted messages on a platform used by criminal organizations.

“According to intelligence, he and his syndicate tried to import up to 100 kilograms at a time,” AFP Assistant Commissioner Price Scanlan said in a statement Saturday. “We suspect they were active long before we started following them and were involved in many other drug trafficking plots targeting Australia.”

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Australian authorities claim that a 3D printer was planned to be used to import methamphetamine into the country.

Australian authorities claim that a 3D printer was planned to be used to import methamphetamine into the country.
(AFP)

Operation Greenhill was launched to identify criminal network and authorities said there was a plot to smuggle about 66 pounds of methamphetamine using 3D printers, police said.

AFP worked with other local agencies and the US Department of Homeland Security to intercept drugs in the United States before they reached Australia. Australian authorities helped identify the 33-year-old suspect and alerted a Taiwanese criminal investigation to find him in New Taipei.

Further investigation led to the arrest of a 36-year-old man in Taoyuan City in October. Both men face life imprisonment.

According to AFP, methamphetamines would be sold for about $45 million at Western Australian prices.

Scanlan said the AFP is still investigating potential alleged links to the syndicate in connection with disrupted imports to Western Australia, and investigators are looking into several countries.

Intercepted image of methamphetamine believed to be destined for Australia.

Intercepted image of methamphetamine believed to be destined for Australia.
(AFP)

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“This organized crime group has caused significant damage to the Australian community for a number of years, and also hurt offshore companies,” he said.

“We allege that two high-ranking members of the TSOC were killed during this operation. [transnational serious and organized crime] syndicate and destroyed their gateway to import illegal goods into Australia, which is a significant victory for the community,” he added.