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ITN
International drug ring busted in Australia
International drug ring busted in Australia
Police in Australia have busted an international drug ring and seized nearly five tons of ecstasy. They claim that it is the "world's single largest seizure of the illegal narcotics." The joint operation with the Australian Customs Service led to the arrests of 16 people across Australia who were allegedly involved in the distribution and trafficking of the drugs. The year long investigation began in June 2007 when a shipping container from Italy arrived in Melbourne and was found to hold 3,000 tomato cans containing ecstasy pills with an estimated street value of £206 million. Michael Carmody of Australian Customs said: "This is a very significant operation as I've said," Carmody said in a news conference. It's a result that makes our jobs worthwhile for the Australian community." Australian Federal Police Commissioner Mick Keelty said they busted part of a "global international syndicate." Mr Keetly said: "This is a major disruption to transnational organised crime both in this country and abroad."
ITN | August 8, 2008
