5 Million Doses Of Fentanyl Confiscated Inside Military-Style Ammunition Boxes In Australia

Fentanyl epidemic!

The Australian Border Force (ABF) says they have seized more than 5 million doses of fentanyl, the largest shipment of the opioid the country has ever seen.

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Authorities said the drugs were hidden in an industrial machine, known as a lathe, that arrived at the Port of Melbourne in December 2021 from Canada.

But they didn't launch a probe until February when ABF officials found the drug stash, which included 11.2 kilograms of pure fentanyl and 30 kilograms of methamphetamine.

Addictive painkiller!

Fentanyl is a highly addictive painkiller, 50-100 times more powerful than morphine.

During a press conference Monday, AFP acting Commander Anthony Hall said, "It is highly unusual to find this drug in Australia outside from its use for medical purposes," adding, "The seizure of 11 kg is cause for serious concern to the Australian community."

According to an AFP press release, previously, Australian authorities have only detected small shipments, 30 grams or less, of fentanyl illegally imported into the country.

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In Monday's press conference, ABF Commander James Watson highlighted the significance of the bust, given the amount of fentanyl discovered.

Watson said, "Typically, we would only see fentanyl being detected in quantities of 1 g or less, so to have a detection that is 11 kg pure, is just quite frankly extraordinary," adding, "I'd describe it as a total act of bastardy."

While fentanyl is mainly used for medical purposes in Australia, elsewhere, it is often mixed with other drugs, such as heroin, with sometimes deadly consequences. In the US, the growing prevalence of fentanyl has contributed to an increase in fatal overdoses.

Alert!

When asked why the announcement was made months after the drugs were initially seized and identified, Hall said one of the main purposes was "to alert the community to the harms of what fentanyl poses."

Officials also want people who may have information about the source of the fentanyl to come forward.

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Hall said, "There is someone out there in the community who does know more so we are appealing to that person or persons who are there to speak up and call crime stoppers please."

Hall suggested that organized crime was to blame for the large shipment of the drug but clarified that no arrests had been made.

A joint probe conducted by the AFP, ABF, and Australia's Department of Home Affairs is ongoing.