Joint media release:  Customs and Border Protection and Victoria Police 

A joint Victoria Police and Customs and Border Protection operation has led to the seizure of over a kilogram of amphetamines and one arrest.

Customs and Border Protection officers at the Melbourne international mail centre intercepted a package from the Netherlands on 6 July 2009 that was found to contain more than one kilogram of amphetamines.

This interception led to a joint Customs and Border Protection and Victoria Police operation that resulted in the arrest of a 49-year-old Tubbut man, Mr Michael Curran, in Laverton on Monday (27 July).

A subsequent search warrant was then carried out by detectives from the Drug Task Force, Bairnsdale Criminal Investigation Unit, East Gippsland Tasking Unit and Customs and Border Protection officers at the man's Gippsland property.

Mr Curran was charged with importing a marketable quantity of a border controlled drug and faced Melbourne Magistrates Court on 27 July.

He will reappear in the Melbourne Magistrate's Court on 20 October.

Head of the Drug Task Force Inspector Doug Fryer said the issue of drug importation into this state is one that police and other agencies will continue to target.

"The success of this operation has highlighted the effectiveness of multi-agency cooperation," he said.

"Drugs are not just a problem in Victoria but right across Australia and the world, and police will continue to detect and arrest those who choose to break the law.

"Trafficking of drugs in this state will not be tolerated. We give warning to anyone who is approached to import or sell drugs in Australia that you will be targeted by police and there are severe penalties when caught.

"It is important that we continue to target this issue by working with other agencies and sharing intelligence and resources for the best possible outcome."

Customs and Border Protection National Manager Investigations, Mr Richard Janeczko, said Customs and Border Protection takes its role in keeping drugs off the streets of Australia very seriously.

"Customs and Border Protection uses a variety of methods to detect the illegal movements of goods, including illicit drugs, across the Australian border," he said.

"We continue to intercept prohibited goods at the border and work with our policing counterparts to investigate and bring those responsible to justice," Mr Janeczko said. 

Media enquiries:
For further details contact Customs and Border Protection Communication and Media (02) 6275 6793
Victoria Police Media Unit (03) 9247 5205