Sydney international mail centre Precursor chemicals Investigations

Customs investigators in Victoria have arrested and charged two men and one woman with importing a commercial quantity of border-controlled precursor chemicals.
A 23-year-old man, 18-year-old man and a 20-year-old woman, all from Brunswick in Melbourne, were arrested on Monday in Shepparton.Investigations began on 21 September 2008 when Customs officers at the Sydney international mail centre detected a package from Canada containing 160 medicine bottles labelled as 'caffeine'. Further examination of the package allegedly identified approximately 112,000 tablets that tested positive for ephedrine, a precursor used to manufacture methamphetamine. Customs investigators, with the assistance of officers from Shepparton police, executed Customs search and seizure warrants at two residential premises in the Shepparton area on Monday. The 23-year-old man was arrested by Customs, remanded in custody overnight and released on bail yesterday. The 18-year-old man and 20-year-old woman were also arrested and released on bail.
All three are due to appear in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on 12 December 2008.
Customs National Manager Investigations, Richard Janeczko, said this investigation highlighted Customs ability to intercept precursor chemicals at the border and investigate those allegedly responsible for their import.
"Precursor drug smuggling is a risky business," he warned.
"There is every chance you will be detected and the penalties can include severe fines or imprisonment."The maximum penalty for this offence is 25 years imprisonment and/or a $550,000.00 fine.