Key Takeaways
- A 21-year-old man has been charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of controlled drugs after being found with 10kg of cocaine and 10kg of methamphetamine on a bus from Melbourne to Adelaide.
- The estimated street value of the seized drugs is over $2.75 million, making it the largest single seizure of cocaine by South Australian Police in a long time and the largest single seizure of methamphetamine in the last 12 months.
- The man was arrested at the Adelaide bus station and his house was searched, where a small quantity of cocaine was allegedly found.
- Police believe the drug haul is linked to serious organized crime and may be connected to large public events over the Christmas period.
- Further arrests are expected as police continue to investigate those involved in the trafficking of illicit drugs.
Introduction to the Incident
Police have made a significant arrest after a man was found carrying a large quantity of illicit drugs on a bus from Melbourne to Adelaide. The 21-year-old man was arrested at the Adelaide bus station on Franklin Street at 6:30am on Friday by detectives from SA Police’s Serious and Organised Crime branch. The arrest was made after police searched the man’s luggage and found 10kg of cocaine and 10kg of methamphetamine, with an estimated street value of over $2.75 million.
The Significance of the Seizure
The seizure is considered to be one of the largest in recent times, with Detective Superintendent Shane Addison stating that it is the largest single seizure of cocaine by South Australian Police in quite some time and the largest single seizure of methamphetamine by SAPOL in the last 12 months. The significance of the seizure cannot be overstated, as it has removed a considerable quantity of dangerous drugs from the streets of South Australia, mitigating serious risk and harm to the community. The seizure is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the police in disrupting the supply of illicit drugs and keeping the community safe.
The Investigation and Arrest
The investigation into the incident is ongoing, with police working to identify those involved in the trafficking of the illicit drugs. Detective Superintendent Addison said that he could not reveal how police knew about the alleged drug haul but did not rule out further arrests. The man who was arrested, a 21-year-old from Salisbury Plain, has been charged with two counts of trafficking a large commercial quantity of a controlled drug. He was refused police bail and was expected to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court later in the day. Police also searched the man’s house at Salisbury Plain, where they allegedly found a small quantity of cocaine.
The Link to Organized Crime
Police believe that the drug haul is linked to serious organized crime and may be connected to large public events over the Christmas period. Detective Superintendent Addison stated that the importation or trafficking of this size is likely linked to serious organized crime and is more than likely targeted at the South Australian community over the Christmas period. The police are working to disrupt the supply of illicit drugs and to identify those involved in the trafficking of these drugs. The seizure is a significant blow to organized crime groups and will help to keep the community safe over the holiday period.
Conclusion and Future Actions
The seizure of the illicit drugs is a significant achievement for the police and a major blow to organized crime groups. The police will continue to work to disrupt the supply of illicit drugs and to identify those involved in the trafficking of these drugs. Further arrests are expected as the investigation continues, and the police are urging anyone with information to come forward. The community can be assured that the police are working tirelessly to keep them safe and to disrupt the supply of illicit drugs. The seizure is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the police and a reminder that they are committed to keeping the community safe.