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Police seize drugs worth $675m hidden in marble stone slabs

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Drug and Firearms Squad detectives in Australia have charged three men following the seizure of almost 750kg of methylamphetamine allegedly imported by a criminal syndicate within marble stone slabs.

Earlier this year, detectives attached to the State Crime Command’s Drug and Firearm Squad commenced Strike Force Chellington to investigate the importation of illicit drugs into NSW.

Acting on intelligence, Australian Border Force (ABF) officers examined a number of sea cargo containers that had arrived in Port Botany, Sydney, from the United Arab Emirates last month.

During a subsequent deconstruction of the consignment, it was found to contain 748kg of methylamphetamine concealed within marble stone.

The estimated potential street value of the methylamphetamine is more than $675 million.

Strike force investigators seized the drugs and commenced further investigations.

Following extensive inquiries, strike force detectives, assisted by North and South West Metropolitan Operation Support Group (OSG), executed search warrants at Burwood, Campsie, Strathfield, Strathfield South, and Homebush, from 6am yesterday (Wednesday 17 August 2022).

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Two men – aged 24 and 26 – were arrested at a unit in Burwood and taken to Burwood Police Station.

Around 11.30am, police stopped a red Mazda 3 as it left a hotel at Sydney Olympic Park and spoke with its occupants – two Victorian men aged 34 and 40 – before searching the vehicle.

The younger man was subsequently arrested and taken to Auburn Police Station, while the older man was released pending further inquiries.

Throughout the police operation, detectives seized prohibited drugs, numerous electronic devices, and documents that will undergo further forensic examination.

The 24-year-old, 26-year-old and 34-year-old men were subsequently charged with importing commercial quantities of border-controlled drugs and taking part supply of prohibited drugs (large commercial quantities).

They were refused bail to appear at Burwood Local Court today (Thursday 18 August 2022).

Investigations under Strike Force Chellington are ongoing.

Drug and Firearms Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent John Watson, said police will allege the import was the work of a highly resourced and well-equipped criminal group.

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“We will be alleging the activities that these men undertook both before and after the fact indicate they were well schooled in what they were doing and aware of the risks of law enforcement,” Det Supt Watson said.

“These syndicates have no regard for the safety of others and as we’ve seen this week; use any means necessary to create illicit wealth and fund further criminal enterprises.

“This seizure, and the dismantling of this group, is the result of our strong partnerships and each agency’s rigorous pursuit of those who seek to exploit the community for their own benefit,” Det Supt Watson said.

ABF Superintendent Joanne Yeats, Detained Goods Management, said criminal syndicates still believe the more creative they get, the more likely they will be to succeed.

“The seizure is a message to all organised crime groups, that it doesn’t matter how sophisticated your concealments are, our ABF officers will find it,” Supt Yeats said.

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“Our officers continue to demonstrate their skills and expertise when it comes to detecting the importation of illicit drugs, no matter what method of concealment the organised crime groups use.”

Anyone with information about the importation and supply of prohibited drugs is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.

Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.

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Two killed as fuel-laden tanker collides with truck in Lagos

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Two people were confirmed dead following an early morning collision between a fuel-laden tanker and a tipper truck on the Lekki–Epe Expressway, Sangotedo area of Lagos state.

In a statement on Saturday, Margaret Adeseye, controller-general of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, said the accident occurred in the early hours of the day, prompting officers to rush to the scene.

“It was reported that a speeding 20-tonne tipper truck from the Epe end rammed into a stationary 30-tonne gas tanker that failed to pull over from the highway,” the statement reads.

Adeseye said the collision sparked a fire that spread to three warehouses and 10 roadside shops, including a gym and a generator house, before it was eventually brought under control.

She added that a Total petrol filling station, fully loaded with a 33,000-litre PMS tanker, narrowly escaped a major explosion.

“After the blaze was extinguished, three Sienna buses, one Toyota Corolla, and a forklift parked within the affected area were recovered. Tragically, the tipper truck driver and his assistant, both adult males, were burnt beyond recognition, while the gas tanker driver escaped unhurt,” Adeseye said.

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The agency said that efforts are ongoing to remove the remains of both trucks from the highway, though normal traffic has largely resumed at the scene.

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Cocaine trafficking: Court convicts, fines 10 Filipinos $6m

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The federal high court in Lagos has convicted 10 Filipino sailors and their merchant vessel of trafficking 20 kilogrammes of cocaine at the Apapa seaport.

The sailors were arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in November 2025 at Apapa seaport.

The vessel, MV Nord Bosporus, with registration number 9760110, arrived in Nigeria from Santos in Brazil.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Femi Babafemi, NDLEA spokesperson, said the defendants pleaded guilty to the charges and entered a plea bargain agreement.

The anti-drug agency had disclosed that its officers discovered the “Class A drug” buried under the ship’s cargo on Sunday, November 16, 2025.

The NDLEA arraigned the sailors and the vessel on a four-count charge.

The defendants are Eugene Quinos Corpuz; Mark Joseph Jardiniano; Alexis Navidad Evarrola; Francis Gerard Niones Carpio; Franz Jude Mayran; Mahinay Junniel Lagura; Mario Ganiban Malvar; Hormachuelos Lordito Guivencan; Joshua Emmanuel Hufanda; and Edwin Baltazar Reyes.

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In his judgment, Ayokunle Faji, the trial judge, found the vessel guilty for an offence under section 25 of the NDLEA Act.

The judge ordered the vessel to pay the sum of N100,000 penalty for the offence and a restitution in the sum of N5.3 million to the federal government.

The judge convicted three principal officers of the vessel who are the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th defendants. They were asked to pay N100,000 each and a restitution of $100,000 each to the federal government.

After conviction, the judge ordered the 5th to 11th defendants to pay N100,000 each in addition to a restitution of $50,000 each.

According to the NDLEA, the total money to be paid to the federal government by the vessel and the 10 sailors is $6 million and N1.1million as restitution and penalty.

Reacting to the judgment, Mohammed Buba Marwa, NDLEA chairman, said the conviction of the vessel and its crew members is a “lesson to international drug cartels and their local collaborators that Nigeria’s territorial waters are no longer a playground for the illicit narcotics trade”.

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“Let this judgment be an unambiguous signal to every shipping line, vessel owner, and sailor worldwide that if you turn your ships into floating warehouses for illicit drugs, you will not only lose your freedom but also your assets,” Marwa said.

“We have moved beyond mere seizures; we are now hitting the syndicates where it hurts most, their pockets and their operational assets.”

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VIDEO: Man caught trying to lure child hawker for sex with ₦1,000

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A man has been caught on video while allegedly attempting to lure a young girl hawking avocados with ₦1,000 for sexual purposes.

The unfortunate incident, which surfaced in a viral video, was shared by content creator LordZeus in a post shared on IG on Monday, who confronted the suspect.

When questioned, the man denied the allegation and claimed he was the girl’s father.

But the child contradicted him, stating that he approached her and asked her to follow him to a secluded place so they could “touch body,” promising to give her ₦1,000. She added that when she refused, the man brought out the cash in an attempt to persuade her.

During the confrontation, some bystanders pleaded on behalf of the suspect, claiming he was mentally unstable and alleging that the girl was not the first child he had approached.

Reacting, LordZeus challenged the defence, questioning why alleged mental illness should excuse such behaviour toward a minor.

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He also used the moment to caution parents against sending young girls out to hawk, noting that female child hawkers are often

He wrote, “Parents please, no matter how hard life gets, do not allow your girl child especially underage to hawk on the streets alone. Even If they must hawk, hawk alongside them.

“They are constantly at risk of se*xual harassment, and many of them will never speak up. I’ve hawked before, so I know exactly what life on the street is like.

“Imagine if this man was able to manipulate the little girl with just 1,000 naira , this will be unimaginable.

“Ihe na-eme nu o. Let’s do everything possible to protect our girl children. Their safety and dignity must come first before any other thing. It can only get better ”

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