Australian police smash Asian drug ring

AUSTRALIA: Australian police said Friday they had smashed a crime syndicate operating across Asia, leading to 27 arrests and the seizure of drugs and assets worth millions of dollars.

Authorities said the organised gang -- operating in China, including in Hong Kong and Macau, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and Myanmar -- allegedly targeted Australia for its heroin and methamphetamine trade. “We know that ice (methamphetamine) availability has been increasing on our streets,” Victoria state police Assistant Commissioner Stephen Fontana said.

“The dismantling of this organised crime syndicate, we expect, will dramatically effect that availability.” Australian Federal Police said they had seized some 42 kilograms (92 pounds) of drugs along with Aus$4 million (US$4.2 million) in cash, in an operation launched in April 2012 to probe the alleged syndicate.

AFP