![\"A](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/cpsprodpb\/1CF8\/production\/_105561470_largesteverusiceseizurecontainedinsideaudioequipment.jpg\")
<\/span><\/p>\n
The arrests are part of an ongoing joint investigation by local and national agencies in the US and Australia.<\/p>\n
In 2015,\u00a0Australia’s government established a national taskforce<\/a>\u00a0to tackle the growing use of crystal methamphetamine (dubbed “ice”), which has become the most common illicit drug in the country.<\/p>\n The move followed a report by the Australian Crime Commission (ACC) that found crystal meth posed the highest risk to communities of any illegal substance.<\/p>\n Crystal meth is a powerful form of amphetamine and can be smoked, snorted or injected by users.<\/p>\n Victoria state – Australia’s second-most populous – consumes more than two tonnes of crystal meth every year, according to government figures.<\/p>\n The ACC says the price of crystal meth in Australia is among the highest in the world, driving the country’s organised crime gangs to trade increasingly in the drug.<\/p>\n Commissioner Hill said police believe Mexican cartels are targeting the country, but the identities of the cartels have not been disclosed.<\/p>\n The previous record for an Australia-bound crystal meth seizure was 1,300 kg in 2017.<\/p>\n Source: bbc.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"